Riverdance welcomes new generation of performers to the stage

Three decades ago, Riverdance emerged onto the world stage — a new show blending together Irish and international dance.

Next Friday, May 16, Riverdance will take the stage at the Weidner Center, bringing with it its three-decades-long legacy of cultural celebration.

“The show is an absolute masterpiece in itself,” said Lead Dancer Mairead Trainor. “It involves a lot of different cultures. It was mainly Irish dancing when it was founded 30 years ago, and since then the show has just evolved year by year, generation by generation. It’s not just an Irish dance show. We have American tap dancers. We have Flamenco dancers. We have Moldova folk dancers and an incredible four-piece band to accompany us through the show. It really is just an absolute extravaganza of a performance through lots of different cultures, different arts and different styles brought all together.”

When Riverdance was first performed in 1994, it ignited an interest in Irish dancing across the globe.

“From the Eurovision 30 years ago when the show came alive, it really just blew up Irish dancing globally,” Trainor said. “I think people have just loved celebrating it — not just Irish people, but people all over the world. [The show] took Irish dancing all over the world and made it possible for people to be able to come and celebrate and enjoy that story with the show, it’s just kept it alive.”

As Riverdance celebrates its 30th anniversary, the show also celebrates the ushering in of a ‘new generation’ of performers, many of who were not yet born when the show was first performed and who grew up inspired by the dance styles featured in the show.

Among those inspired by Riverdance in its early days was Trainor herself, who began dancing at a young age and dreamed of one day being able to perform the show’s choreography.

“It’s a dream come true,” she said. “I started dancing at the age of two and I grew up in the Irish dancing world watching Riverdance and dreaming of being in that show one day. To be able to be living the dream now and being able to be living that dream now and able to do what I love around the world, showing people our talent, it’s just incredible. I can’t find the words to explain it. It’s just amazing. And most of the cast is younger than the show now, so the people before us truly paved the way for us to keep the show alive. They allowed us to be able to step on the stage and to be able to do what we love.”

Trainor said she hopes that those who come to see Riverdance next week allow themselves to experience all of the emotions the show encapsulates.

“I really hope that they realize the emotions that they feel throughout the show,” she said. “I describe it as a rollercoaster of emotions that they will feel from the minute the show starts to the minute the show finishes… I really want them to be filled with joy and excitement and feel the love for the show and the story it tells.”

Tickets for Riverdance and more information can be found at ticketstaronline.com/events/detail/riverdance.