Review – Diane De Beer, STAR Tonight SA
Riverdance has been running since 1995 and, while we have seen many copycat versions, this is the original show’s first time round. It doesn’t matter that it’s 15 years down the line – they haven’t lost any of their initial allure and it’s fascinating to see where the Irish dance phenomenon began.
“Cultural phenomenon” status is wonderful, but when that means seeing Irish dancing moves in every spoof movie of the last five years….
This show features the real deal, with the Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe backed by the Riverdance Band
IT LOOKS like the season’s a sellout,” says John Langford, part of Attie van Wyk’s Big Concerts, which has brought Riverdance to SA for the first time . It must be an enviable position to be in right now when all over the world theatre and dance productions are struggling to bring in audiences. What a high note to start the year on.
Review by Tammy Ballantyne, Business Day
Haunting music, flashing feet, beautiful girls so light they look as though they are flying … this is Riverdance. This is a show that resonates on various levels, touching the deep-down chords of imagery and imagination.
Review by Jennifer de Klerk
Although Riverdance’s richness lies in its traditional Irish folk dance roots, the fusion between other international dance traditions keeps it fresh, energised and universally appealing. Dancers from the US and Spain bring their own culture, traditions and energy.
One such dancer visiting South Africa for the six-week tour is flamenco soloist Rocío Montoya, who joined the touring company five years ago.
Few adjectives can adequately describe the phenomenal flying footwork of this, the original Riverdance, the hauntingly beautiful music, the eye-catching costumes of the company and the changing lighting patterns that enhance the precision and skill on stage …
Review by Peter Feldman
JOPLIN, Missouri
Caterina Coyne is the lead female dancer for the North American troupe. Riverdance’s iconic dancing is a modernization of traditional Irish dancing — a cross between ballet and tap dancing, she said.
Dance Captain of the Riverdancers, Maeve Croke, oversees everything to make sure everyone’s timing and choreography is perfect. She feels that there are certain requirements needed to be a part of the team.
“You need to have the right attitude and when you’re traveling for months at a time, you need to be able to be away from family and friends,” Croke said
The international spectacular dance show Riverdance will land on African soil for the first time, opening in Johannesburg on 25 January until 20 February and then Cape Town from 23 to 27 February