Riverdance

Riverdance is rooted in a three-part suite of baroque-influenced traditional music called Timedance. The suite was composed, recorded and performed for the Eurovision Song Contest 1981, which was held in Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://www.ceolas.org/artists/Planxty.html|title=Ceolas Profile: Planxty|work=Ceolas.org|access-date=1 June 2015}} At the time, Bill Whelan and Dónal Lunny composed the music, augmenting the Irish folk band Planxty with a rock rhythm section of electric bass and drums and a four-piece horn section. The piece was performed, with accompanying dancers from Dublin City Ballet,{{cite web|last=Walsh|first=Ciarán|url=https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2022/0224/1181436-riverdance-roots-kerry-folk-dance-siamsa-tire/|title=How roots of Riverdance can be found in Kerry|work=RTÉ|date=30 November 2022|access-date=5 November 2023}} during the interval of the contest, and later released as a Planxty single. Whelan had also produced EastWind, a 1992 album by Planxty member Andy Irvine with Davy Spillane, which fused Irish and Balkan folk music and influenced the genesis of "Riverdance".{{cite book|last=Ó Cinnéide|first=Barra|year=2002|title=Riverdance: The Phenomenon|location=Ireland|publisher=Blackhall Publishing|isbn=1-901657-90-6}} After composing "Riverdance", Whelan said, "It was no mistake of mine to call it Riverdance because it connected absolutely to Timedance".{{cite book|last=O'Toole|first=Leagues|year=2006|title=The Humours of Planxty|location=Ireland|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|isbn=0-340-83796-9|pages=296–299}}

{{external media

| float = right

| caption = Riverdance YouTube video

| headerimage= File:YouTube 2024.svg

| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0v_pu6miJ8 Riverdance at the Eurovision Song Contest 30 April 1994, Dublin]

}}

Riverdance was first performed during the seven-minute interval of the Eurovision Song Contest 1994 at the Point Theatre in Dublin on 30 April 1994. The performance was transmitted to an estimated 300 million viewers worldwide{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/2889-eurovision/700505-eurovision-song-contest-and-riverdance/|title=Riverdance Unveiled at Eurovision in Dublin 1994|work=RTE.ie|access-date=9 July 2017}}{{cite web|last=Bortoli|first=Natalie|url=http://adage.com/article/news/marketing-100-riverdance-moya-doherty/71614/|title=THE MARKETING 100: 'RIVERDANCE': MOYA DOHERTY|work=AdAge.com|date=30 June 1997|access-date=9 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709081818/http://adage.com/article/news/marketing-100-riverdance-moya-doherty/71614/|archive-date=9 July 2017}} and earned a standing ovation.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/mr-riverdance-steps-up-a-gear-29150321.html|title=MR riverdance steps up a gear|work=Independent.ie|date=25 March 2013|access-date=9 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/culture/2024/0430/1446507-original-riverdancer-tells-all-30-years-on-from-eurovision/|title=Original Riverdancer tells all, 30 years on from Eurovision|date=30 April 2024|work=RTE News|accessdate=30 April 2024}} The performance is often considered the most well-known interval act in Eurovision history{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Luke|url=http://justanotherlight.com/2014/11/15/10-of-the-most-memorable-interval-acts/|title=10 of the most memorable interval acts|work=JustAnotherLight.com|date=15 November 2014|access-date=9 July 2017}}{{cite web|last=Granger|first=Anthony|url=http://eurovoix.com/2015/03/22/eurovisions-greatest-hits-riverdance-to-perform/|title=Eurovision's Greatest Hits: Riverdance To Perform|work=Eurovoix.com|date=22 March 2015|access-date=1 June 2015}}{{cite web|last=Dempsey|first=James|url=http://www.newstalk.com/From-worst-to-Riverdance:-A-comprehensive-ranking-of-Irelands-Eurovision-interval-acts|title=From worst to Riverdance: A comprehensive ranking of Ireland's Eurovision interval acts|work=NewsTalk.com|date=21 May 2015|access-date=1 June 2015}} and is credited with transforming Irish dance from a chaste and reserved traditional dance form into a new, modern form.{{cite web|last=Warren|first=Jane|url=http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/theatre/502446/Riverdance-Queen-Jean-Butler-explains-why-she-left-the-limelight|title=What became of the Riverdance Queen? Jean Butler explains why she left the limelight|work=Express.co.uk|date=23 August 2014|access-date=9 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170709082646/http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/theatre/502446/Riverdance-Queen-Jean-Butler-explains-why-she-left-the-limelight|archive-date=9 July 2017|df=dmy-all}} The original seven-minute version was invited to perform at Dominion Theatre in London at the Royal Variety Performance in the presence of Prince Charles in November 1994.{{cite web|url=http://riverdance.com/the-show/the-journey/1994-2/|title=1994|work=Riverdance.com|access-date=9 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123144519/https://riverdance.com/the-show/the-journey/1994-2/|archive-date=23 November 2018}}

The song "Riverdance", featuring Anúna and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, was released as a single{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Bill-Whelan-Featuring-An%C3%BAna-And-The-RTE-Concert-Orchestra-Riverdance/release/2090935|title=Riverdance the Single on Discogs|work=discogs.com|date=May 2019|access-date=7 March 2019}}{{cite web|last=RTÉ Archives|url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/2889-eurovision/700505-eurovision-song-contest-and-riverdance/|title=Riverdance Unveiled at Eurovision in Dublin 1994|work=rte.ie|date=30 April 1994|access-date=7 March 2019}} and subsequently topped the Irish Singles Chart for a record-setting 18 weeks.{{cite web|last=Brinn|first=David|url=http://www.jpost.com/Arts-and-Culture/Arts/Sailing-with-the-Riverdance-of-life|title=Sailing with the 'Riverdance' of life|work=JPost.com|date=9 August 2011|access-date=1 June 2015}}{{cite web|last=Myers|first=Justin|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-history-of-the-official-irish-charts__23351/|title=The history of the Official Irish Charts|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=19 July 2018|access-date=18 November 2018}} As of 2010, it was still the second highest-selling single of all time in Ireland, behind only Elton John's 1997 double A-side "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight".{{cite web|url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/top_twenty/toptwenty.htm|title=Top 20 of All Time|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association|website=Irishcharts.ie|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322231931/http://irishcharts.ie/top_twenty/toptwenty.htm|archive-date=22 March 2019|access-date=8 July 2019}}

File:Anúna performing in "Riverdance - the Show" February 1995.jpg

After witnessing the initial enthusiasm for the interval act performance in Ireland, husband and wife production team John McColgan and Moya Doherty invested over $1 million into producing a full-length show. Tickets for the show were released for a five-week run and sold out within three days of going on sale.

"Riverdance: The Show" opened at the Point Theatre in Dublin on 9 February 1995.{{cite web|url=http://riverdance.com/the-show/the-journey/1995-2/|title=1995 part 2|work=Riverdance.com|access-date=9 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123144525/http://riverdance.com/the-show/the-journey/1995-2/|archive-date=23 November 2018}} The show starred lead dancers Michael Flatley and Jean Butler. The video of the show topped the Irish and UK charts in 1995.

The show moved to London in June 1995, where it had a sell-out four-week run at The Apollo.{{cite web|url=http://riverdance.com/the-show/the-journey/1995-3/|title=1995 part 3|work=Riverdance.com|access-date=9 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123144525/http://riverdance.com/the-show/the-journey/1995-3/|archive-date=23 November 2018}} During its time in London, Riverdance performed at the Royal Gala 50th Anniversary of VE Day celebrations at the invitation of Prince Charles{{cite web|last=O'Reilly|first=Jo|url=http://irishpost.co.uk/twenty-one-stomping-facts-riverdance-phenomenon/|title=Twenty one stomping facts about the Riverdance phenomenon|work=IrishPost.co.uk|date=23 March 2016|access-date=9 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329050754/http://irishpost.co.uk/twenty-one-stomping-facts-riverdance-phenomenon/|archive-date=29 March 2016}} and at the Royal College of Music in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II.

The show returned to the Point Theatre in July 1995 for a sell-out six-week run.

The show's growing success coincided with lead dancer Michael Flatley clashing with the producers over salary and royalty fees.{{cite web | last=Hartigan | first=Patti | url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/05/27/lord-of-lord-of-the-dance-gives-his-side-of-the-story/ | title=Lord of 'Lord of the Dance' gives his side of the story | work=BaltimoreSun.com | date=27 May 1997 | access-date=14 June 2015}} By early October 1995, a contract dispute over creative control led to Riverdance parting ways with Flatley on the eve of reopening for a second sell-out run at The Apollo.{{cite web | url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/michael-flatleys-very-last-dance-26185047.html | title=Michael Flatley's very last dance | work=Independent.ie | date=26 June 1998 | access-date=21 July 2013}} He was replaced by Colin Dunne.{{cite web | last=Sweet | first=Matthew | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/arts-extracting-the-michael-1354028.html | title=ARTS: EXTRACTING THE MICHAEL | work=Independent.co.uk | date=24 November 1996 | access-date=14 June 2015}} At the same time, female lead Jean Butler was unable to perform due to an injury. As a result, Dunne paired up with Eileen Martin for the opening night.{{cite web|last=Looseleaf|first=Victoria|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-09-ca-37411-story.html|title=Stepping Into a Dream|work=LATimes.com|date=9 April 1998|access-date=2 June 2015}}{{cite AV media | people=Riverdance | date=2005 | title=Riverdance – The Ten Years | medium=Documentary | publisher=Tyrone Productions}} The initial six weeks at The Apollo was extended twice. During this extended period, Riverdance returned to the Royal Variety Performance at Dominion Theatre.{{cite web|url=http://riverdance.com/blog/2014/11/20/trading-taps-royal-variety-performance-20-november-1995/|title=Trading Taps at the Royal Variety Performance 20 November 1995|work=Riverdance.com|date=20 November 2014|access-date=9 July 2017}}

Riverdance travelled to the United States for the first time in March 1996.{{cite web|last=Kisselgoff|first=Anna|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/15/arts/dance-review-irish-steps-and-their-kin.html|title=DANCE REVIEW;Irish Steps and Their Kin|work=NYTimes.com|date=15 March 1996|access-date=9 July 2017}} On 13 March, the show opened at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the first of eight sold-out performances over five days. Costing about $2 million to bring the show from Ireland, Riverdance broke even in its first New York outing.{{cite web|last=Marks|first=Peter|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/21/theater/on-stage-and-off.html|title=On Stage, and Off|work=NYTimes.com|date=21 June 1996|access-date=9 July 2017}}

Upon returning from New York, Riverdance went on to have another notable extended run at The Apollo between May 1996 and January 1997.{{cite web|url=http://riverdance.com/1995-to-1998-cities-performed/|title=1995 to 1998 : cities performed|work=Riverdance.com|access-date=9 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://riverdance.com/the-show/the-journey/1996-3/|title=1996|work=Riverdance.com|access-date=9 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123144554/https://riverdance.com/the-show/the-journey/1996-3/|archive-date=23 November 2018}} By late 1996, Riverdance had created separate companies in order to tour multiple cities at the same time. The Lee company began a U.S. tour in October 1996. Riverdance toured Australia for the first time in 1997.{{cite web|url=https://www.thesenior.com.au/story/8372184/must-see-jig-as-riverdance-celebrates-25th/|title=Riverdance 25th anniversary show to tour Australia in 2024|work=TheSenior.com.au|date=10 October 2023|access-date=27 October 2023}}{{cite web|last=MacNaughton|first=Tanya|url=https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/art/riverdance-announces-25th-anniversary-australian-tour-starting-at-perths-rac-arena-c-12089915|title=Riverdance announces 25th anniversary Australian tour starting at Perth's RAC Arena|work=The West Australian|date=3 October 2023|access-date=30 November 2023}}

In 1997, Bill Whelan received a Best Musical Show Album Grammy Award for his recording of 'Riverdance'.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2006/0201/whelanb.html|title=Meteor Industry Award for Bill Whelan|work=RTÉ|date=1 February 2006|access-date=7 August 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805090241/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2006/0201/whelanb.html|archive-date=5 August 2011}}

A number of notable cast departures occurred around this time, with Anúna leaving in September 1996;{{cite web|url=http://www.celticcafe.com/archive/Music/anuna/anuna.html|title=Anúna|work=CelticCafe.com|access-date=9 July 2017}} Butler leaving in January 1997;{{cite web|last=O'Sullivan|first=Kevin|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Riverprancer%3B+JEAN+BUTLER+LIFTS+THE+LID+ON+LIFE+WITH+RIVERDANCE...-a060405266|title=Riverprancer; JEAN BUTLER LIFTS THE LID ON LIFE WITH RIVERDANCE CO-STAR MICHAEL FLATLEY|work=The Mirror|date=26 October 1999|access-date=9 July 2017|quote=But two years ago she followed in Flatley's high-kicking footsteps and suddenly quit.}} and Dunne leaving in June 1998.{{cite web|url=http://www.colindunne.com/biog.php|title=Biography|work=ColinDunne.com|access-date=9 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815181906/http://www.colindunne.com/biog.php|archive-date=15 August 2017}}

In 2000, Riverdance performed on Broadway in New York at the Gershwin Theatre.{{cite web|last=Dunning|first=Jennifer|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/17/movies/dance-review-with-fast-feet-and-fiddles-an-irish-perennial-returns.html|title=DANCE REVIEW; With Fast Feet and Fiddles, An Irish Perennial Returns|work=NYTimes.com|date=17 March 2000|access-date=9 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://riverdance.com/blog/2000/03/17/broadway-opening-night-2000/|title=Broadway Opening Night 2000|work=Riverdance.com|date=17 March 2000|access-date=1 June 2015}} In 2003, Riverdance featured at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics in Dublin{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeFtzfSu0nI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/SeFtzfSu0nI |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Riverdance at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics, Dublin 2003|work=YouTube.com|date=26 November 2010|access-date=2 June 2015}}{{cbignore}} and toured China for the first time.{{cite web|last=Watts|first=Jonathan|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/oct/14/arts.china|title=Riverdance takes a great leap forward on Mao's stage|work=theguardian.com|date=14 October 2003|access-date=27 October 2023}}

File:Riverdance cast, 2019.jpg, in 2019]]

In 2020, Riverdance's 25th Anniversary show began touring. As of 2023, Riverdance has played more than 15,000 performances across 49 countries and six continents. The show has been seen live by more than 30 million people.

In 2021, an animated feature film titled Riverdance: The Animated Adventure was released.{{cite web|last=Molumby|first=Deirdre|url=https://entertainment.ie/tv/on-demand-news/riverdance-animated-movie-irish-release-sky-cinema-now-483447/|title=That 'Riverdance' animated movie is going to Sky Cinema and NOW|work=entertainment.ie|date=11 May 2021|access-date=15 May 2021}}

{{Div col |colwidth=22em}}

• Michael Flatley
• Jean Butler
• Colin Dunne
• Breandán de Gallaí
• Joanne Doyle
• Kevin McCormack

{{div col end}}

• María Pagés (flamenco dancer)
• Michael and Matthew Gardiner (troupe dancers)

In the spirit of traditional sessions, the musicians play on stage without sheet music.{{cite podcast |author-link=Jarlath Regan |author=Jarlath Regan |edition=309 |work=An Irishman Abroad |title=The Riverdance Episode: Episode 309 |publisher=SoundCloud |date=18 August 2019 |url=https://soundcloud.com/an-irishman-abroad/the-riverdance-episode-episode-309 |access-date=19 August 2019}}

{{Div col |colwidth=22em}}

• Anúna - vocal ensemble
• Máire Breatnach - fiddle
• Ronan Browne - uilleann pipes
• Anthony Drennan - guitar
• Eileen Ivers - fiddle
• Declan Masterson - uilleann pipes, low whistle
• Katie McMahon - vocals
• Máirtín O'Connor - accordion
• Michael McGlynn - choral director
• Rafael Riqueni - guitar
• Davy Spillane - uilleann pipes, tin whistle

{{div col end}}

• Riverdance: Music from the Show (1995)
• Riverdance 25th Anniversary: Music from the Show (2019)

• Riverdance: The Show (1995)

• Riverdance: A Journey (1996){{cite book

| last = Brown

| first = David

| year = 2007

| title = God and Grace of Body: Sacrament in Ordinary

| page = 92

| publisher = Oxford University Press, USA

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=m_pT5VT9FfwC&q=Riverdance%3A+A+Journey+%281994%29&pg=PA92

| isbn= 978-0-19-959996-7}}{{rp|92}}

• Riverdance: Live From New York City (1996)
• Riverdance: Live From Geneva (2002)
• Riverdance: The Documentary 10 Years (2005)
• The Best Of Riverdance (2005)
• Riverdance: Live From Beijing (2010)
• Riverdance: The Collection [5 DVD Set] (2010)
• Riverdance 25 Anniversary Show: Live In Dublin (2020)

• The Countess Cathleen
• Cú Chulainn
• Music of Ireland

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://riverdance.com/ Official website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20111010200215/http://www.tyroneproductions.ie/riverdance/ Riverdance] at tyroneproductions.ie
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnPoFXKhggo The Insiders, the Riverdance story (2014)] on YouTube

{{S-start}}

{{Succession box

| before=Johnny Logan

| title=Eurovision Song Contest
Final Interval act

| years=1994

| after=Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin

}}

{{S-end}}

{{Michael Flatley}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album}}

{{Irish dance}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1981 compositions

Category:1994 in Irish television

Category:1995 in theatre

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Irish dance

Category:Irish stepdance

Category:Eurovision Song Contest 1994

Category:Flamenco

Category:Tap dance

Category:1990s in Irish music

Category:2000s in Irish music

Category:2010s in Irish music

Category:2020s in Irish music