PODCAST : Lead dancer Catriona Coyne and fiancée, percussionist Mark Alfred plus Dance Captain Niamh O’Connor and husband lead dancer, Padraic Moyles talk about life and romance touring with Riverdance.

It’s bittersweet as I finish the last step in the last number of the last ever North American Riverdance show. Some 6,000 people are on their feet in the fantastic outdoor arena at WolfTrap, Vienna and boy has it been a long journey!

As we neared the end of the last ever North American Tour of Riverdance, it was evident that the show will most certainly be missed. We have had the most amazing response here in North America and I’ve decided to dedicate this blog to the thousands of people who have come to see our shows over the past few months.

Did you see the movie “The 5 Year Engagement?” The whole first scene is pretty much how it went down. I had the whole thing planned in my head how and where… with Rocio’s family and everything… Things started falling apart, and it just wasn’t gonna happen. I ended up doing it in the car. Not the most romantic thing in the world, but it was funny to us… She said “Si Kelly!” and that’s all that matters to me.

Since Riverdance began performances in Dublin in 1995, over 12,000 costumes have been worn. Nestled in the heart of Dublins Capel Street, is a little den where all the costumes, designed by Emmy Award winner, Joan Bergin are housed. Monica Ennis, head of wardrobe oversees the costume workshop in Dublin and is responsible for fitting all new cast members so that they look the part. The costumes are a vital part of the overall look of the show

This weekend, the massive North American operation of Riverdance — 60 dancers, singers, musicians and crew — will sing and dance for the last time on these shores. The Dublin-based production company is closing down its North American tour with five performances at Wolf Trap, one of its earliest and most consistent venues.

A four show weekend at the CBS Arena, marked the end of a 6 week farewell tour across Australia and New Zealand. The end of a tour always brings a mix of emotions. There is the exciting anticipation of getting home to see friends and family combined with an element of sadness when bidding farewell to fellow cast members, heading home in different directions. Working, travelling and socialising together pulls a cast & crew quite close and it always takes a few days to readjust when you finish a tour and are flying around solo once again back home.

There was so much bubbling excitement amongst the Shannon Co. in Raleigh, NC. I was particularly excited as I performed the role of female principal alongside Jason O’ Neill on the first matinee of the weekend.  What an honor and pleasure it is to represent the leading lady in such a spectacle.

On June 18, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, Burmese opposition leader, will fly to Dublin where she will attend a concert in her honour. The tribute concert, Electric Burma, will commence at 5 pm on June 18th, at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. Riverdance will join actors, musicians and dancers who will travel to Dublin from across the globe to celebrate this inspiring woman.