A riot of our own that preaches good news
IT WAS a huge hit when it first appeared as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival and now RIOT is back, invading Vicar Street with a barrage of sequins and glitter.
The show was created by This Is Pop Baby and those who had witnessed it before had nothing but open-mouthed adoration for it. There’s a simple reason for that — Riot is a mix of theatrical spectacle, concert, dance, cabaret and performance art all rolled into one spectacular package.
What a package it is too — physical artist Ronan Brady can work wonders with Tayto crisps and his astonishing strength and grace are a wonder to behold.
Fresh from their Britain’s Got Talent performance, The Lords of Strut cavort around the stage, at times in priestly garb and at others with only cling film for comfort, leaving audience members in tears of laughter.
Traditional dance and song is transformed into something a bit Bliss: The cast of Riot special, blended with modern day twists, making for startling music that will cause goosebumps.
Panti struts her stuff as only she can, spreading messages of love and tolerance (as only she can) while the track-top wearing warrior that is Emmet Kirwan spits words that will punch at the hardest of hearts.
Like an urban preacher, Kirwan takes traditional views and gives them a verbal kicking, speaking for those whose voices are rarely heard. As special guest Damien Dempsey put it: ‘This is the new Ireland and it’s beautiful.’
That’s Riot — gorgeous, with glitter on top.