Riverdance returns to where it began for 25th anniversary celebrations
Riverdance was last night set to mark the 25th anniversary of its first show with a gala performance at the venue where it all began.
The Irish dancing phenomenon first appeared as the interval act at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin to great acclaim, and was then developed into a full show that made its debut on 9 February, 1995 at The Point Theatre before going on to tour the world.
Riverdance, which has played to more than 25 million people, celebrating a quarter of a century by going back to where the show started - now the 3Arena – in the Irish capital.
Sunday’s show was taking place exactly 25 years to the night Riverdance opened, marking a significant and defining moment in Irish culture. The gala performance came at the end of a four-day run at the 3Arena, which has a seating capacity of 9,000.
Producer Moya Doherty described the return to the show’s birthplace as “an exciting and reflective moment”, adding: “The global journey which Riverdance took us on since 1995 is one which would change not just our lives but the global understanding of Ireland.
“The reaction of audiences witnessing this new expression of Ireland meant that the world was seeing a new writing of Ireland, one sculpted from traditional dance and music forms which could be celebrated, lauded and voiced as it should be.”
The anniversary show pays tribute to its former stars, including Michael Flatley and Jean Butler, in a montage of old clips before the new cast take to the stage.
Since Riverdance began, there have been more than 11,500 performances in 515 venues worldwide featuring 2,000 performers from 29 countries.
The Queen, Pope Francis and former U ited States first lady Michelle Obama are among those who have seen it performed.
After the Dublin run, Riverdance will embark on a UK tour visiting cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Sheffield and London.