A force of nature: ‘Riverdance’
Razor-sharp leg movements. Intricate kicks. Fast feet.
The precision tap lines that have come to signify the world of Irish dance are back.
The theatrical show known as “Riverdance,” consisting mainly of traditional Irish music and dance, will mark its fifth appearance this weekend at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
And it hasn’t lost it’s charm or a step for two decades, organizers said.
“I can’t even dance it slow,” executive producer Julian Erskine said with a laugh by phone from Dublin. “I look at their feet and say, ‘How is that possible?’ It’s extraordinary.”
Twenty years ago, “Riverdance” was performed to audiences as the interval act in the Eurovision Song Contest, a long-running TV song competition. The seven-minute dance piece dazzled so many viewers that the choreography was expanded into a full-length stage show by producer Moya Doherty, composer Bill Whelan and director John McColgan.
The show broke box office records during its world premiere run in Dublin in 1995. After that, the tour sold out shows at Radio City Music Hall, entertained packed theaters on six continents and has been seen by over 25 million people.
Among its thousands of performances was a show for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, who requested that the dance troupe perform during her state visit to Ireland in 2011.
Erskine, who joined the “Riverdance” team in 1994, said the show elevated Irish dancing to a new level and gave the Emerald Isle a new sense of pride.
The success of the production owes to its continuity, he said, noting the plot has remained the same. Nonetheless, costumes have undergone a few changes because of new textiles, and LED screens have replaced projectors to create backdrops.
“Riverdance,” according to a news release on the production, traces the life of a river, and the choreography reflects the cycle of rain as it feeds the river and nourishes the land. The dancer’s feet build rhythmically to symbolize the force of nature.
“The river, from cloud to sea to cloud again, symbolizes the life cycle and the Irish experience of emigration and renewal,” the release says.
The show builds on the idea of exploring the way people from different lands enrich the countries they emigrate to, bringing with them their own culture, music and dance.
“We’ve lasted because people come back wanting to see it over and over again,” Erskine said. “People like to bring others to experience the show. It’s our job to maintain those numbers and the key items people know and want.”
In its beginning years, the dancers who auditioned for and joined the show were viewed as low-paid amateurs. They would often give up full-time careers to take a chance on touring with the group. Now, the group is made up of professional dancers who have honed their dance training for years.
Since its founding, 2,000 Irish dancers have been with the troupe, which has given rise to 60 marriages between company members and 88 “Riverdance” offspring, with more on the way, Erskine said.
“Riverdance” principal dancer Bobby Hodges said he was thrilled to be performing the lead, since the show inspired him to pursue dance. Hodges, who was 6 when he started dancing, won 10 world titles before being cast in the production.
He said it’s challenging to stay synchronized with other dancers.
And just how is he able to flash lightning-fast feet?
“It’s years of practice,” Hodges said, declining to give too much away. “No one is ever perfect in Irish dancing.”
But seeing viewers try to copy the “Riverdance” footwork outside the theater is a delight, he said.
“If we get a few audience members to leave after the show and try a few Irish steps on the way out, then we’ve done our job,” Erskine said. “We’ve made people happy.”
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IF YOU GO
What: “Riverdance”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
Cost: Tickets start at $29
Information: (714) 556-2787 or visit scfta.org
