behind the scenes Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Riverdance

Early Morning Press Call, Auckland, New Zealand

An inevitable part of touring life and the job of any performer is Press and PR related work. Dancers regularly meet the media, chat with journalists and give live Radio interviews and TV performances in many of the cities we visit. Wednesday May 23rd, 2012 marked a well-planned and very eventful day of Press for the entire Riverdance team

Interview with John Lonergan, World Champion

” I honestly can’t believe what I achieved and all within one month. It feels very surreal!! Winning the worlds was one thing, but to be on stage with the world’s biggest Irish dance show three weeks later was another. It all happened so quickly, but it’s the most amazing feeling in the world”. John

Quebec to Philadelphia via 10 cities

City Update – Quebec City, QC: A beautiful, historic city that delighted me in every aspect but I was not sad to leave behind a city where they STILL have winter in April! Highlights included early morning swims in the rooftop outdoor heated swimming pool and dining at the ‘Restaurant Le Retro’ bistro in the oldtown to taste the homemade assortment of local pates and seafood chicken pie. A brunch consisting of croque-monsieur on Friday afternoon gave a nice kick start to my day.

Grand Theatre, Quebec to Cinco de Miau, Knoxville

It was nice to be back in a dance studio and a fine studio it was at the “Grand Theatre”, Quebec. This was even more important for one of our new troupe members, Callum Spencer who in just a few short days after his arrival would perform male lead for the very first time.

A ‘newbie’ with the show

Those days before our first show flew by and then I was standing side stage for my first press call, just about to dance the number Riverdance
Adrenalin kicked in and then I finally realised what I’m a part of and to top it off, in my home state and country…. NSW, Australia.

Oh! Toronto how I have missed you

Veterans Padraic Moyles and Niamh O’ Connor bid adieu to the American stage after serving many years with the ‘American’ Company. Niamh and Padraic were joined by Lauren Smyth, James Keating and singer/ tap dancer, Micheal Wood on their transfer to our sister company, the Moy on a six week tour of Australia and New Zealand until June. As the saying goes, one door closes and another opens and it did just that for their replacements. We have since welcomed Megan Baffa, Owen Barrington, Ben Mapp, Tokiko Masuda and Callum Spencer. They shall complete the remaining seven weeks with the Shannon Company.

Back on the Road with the Moy Company in Australia

Cast and crew are reunited at Dublin airport. Hugs, kisses and lots of chit chat fills the air, as we all catch up on the past few months. It’s been a while since the Moy Company have travelled together. It’s also an exciting day for new dancers Patrick O’Mahony, Emma Warren, John Lonergan, Louise O’Sullivan and Shaun Kelly who will perform with Riverdance for the first time ever on the upcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand. Peta Anderson from Sydney will also join the company when we land in Australia.

Boston to Toronto

Meanwhile, our male troupe had an early start as they performed live on Canada’s largest TV show, Canada AM. Their PR duties must have paid off as the audiences in Toronto were the most memorable of the tour with a whopping near 10,000 people attending our shows!

Boston – a fond goodbye

Boston itself ,being a city quite influenced by the Irish, makes it a hub for many Irish Dancing Schools. We were so thrilled to welcome Irish Dance students from many different dance academies to our performances over the weekend period. Autograph signing and partaking in group shots with throngs of young dancers and enthusiasts makes my job on the road as exciting as ever.

A busy time in Detroit

From Saginaw to Syracuse, between easter eggs and new fiddle players, It is only now I’ve had a minute to come up for air and share with you some more stories from our life on the road. We have come past the half way point of our final farewell tour and things are still as exciting as ever! Indulge in my tales from our home away from home.