'Global cultural phenomenon' Riverdance marks three decades of stage show
'Riverdance' is celebrating three decades of its spectacular theatrical show - which has been seen by millions around the world. BANG Showbiz reporter Ethan Aaron Banks talks to an original and a current cast member about how a seven-minute 'Eurovision' interval performance turned into a global cultural sensation.
Stockholm 2016 saw hosts Petra Mede, 54, and Måns Zelmerlöw, 38, perfectly encapsulate the requirements for a perfect ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ performance in a comedic tutorial reflective of the competition’s themes and visuals - including hunky, oiled-up men or an OAP banging drums to the beat of a love and peace-focused track, as well as artists donning eye-catching outfits.
Oslo 2010 rocked the continent as a flashmob from across Europe jammed out to Madcon's 'Glow' - including Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway, 51, and two of her children, Marius Borg Høiby, 28, and Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, 21.
These are some of the most iconic interval performances at the world’s biggest live music event that has fuelled happiness to millions since 1956.
However, a synchronised Irish Dancing ensemble - featuring the country’s then-dancing champions Jean Butler, 53, and Michael Flatley, 66, as well as the vocal group Anúna - is what is considered the most well-known interval act in the competition’s history after their spellbinding performance at Dublin 1994.
That was ‘Riverdance’, and February 9, 2025, marks three decades since composer Bill Whelan, 74, producer Moya Doherty, 68, and her husband and director John McColgan’s production burst onto theatre stages and captured the hearts of millions globally.
The theatrical show that fuses Irish and international dance and music made its debut during a seven-minute interval of ‘Eurovision’ 1994, which was held on April 30 at the Point Theatre in Dublin.
An estimated worldwide audience of 300 million witnessed the legendary moment, and the team received a standing ovation.
Colm O’Sé, an original 'Riverdance' cast member (1994-1995) and 'Riverdance' Principal Dancer (1996-2000), said that moment was “life-changing”.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: “Performing at ‘Eurovision’ was an utterly unforgettable and a life-changing moment.
"We knew from rehearsals that the brave re-imagining of what Irish Dancing could be in the choreography accompanied by Bill Whelan’s incredible music was going to make for something very special.
“Still, the reaction on the night and subsequently was so extraordinary and so much greater than anything we could ever have expected.
“And so, an incredible journey began.
“The fact that you were on the journey with dear and life-long friends made it extra special.”
In November 1994, the spectacle headed to the heart of London’s West End, where it performed at the Royal Variety Performance, which was held at the iconic Dominion Theatre.
Among the thousands of spectators in attendance was the then Charles, Prince of Wales.
As the Grammy award-winning music and the infectious energy of its mesmerising choreography and breathtaking performances left audiences in awe, it quickly established ‘Riverdance’ as a global cultural sensation.
Due to this, millions of dollars were injected into the production to turn it into a full-length show.
In 1995, fans did not hesitate to snap up tickets for ‘Riverdance: The Show’ - which starred Michael, who quit in October of that year, and Jean, who left in January 1997.
Tickets for the show - which kicked off on February 9 at the venue where the show was first put onto the global stage - sold out within three days.
It returned to London in June and played to a sold-out Hammersmith's The Apollo - now called the Eventim Apollo - for a month.
As the now King Charles was so impressed with what he watched at the Royal Variety Performance in 1994, he invited the ensemble to perform at the Royal Gala 50th anniversary of VE Day.
The late Queen Elizabeth was treated to the Irish Dancing production spectacle when she carried out an engagement at the Royal College of Music in 1995.
After ‘Riverdance’s time in the capital, it returned to the Dublin theatre in July for a sold-out six-week run.
Colm did not think for a second that a “short piece on ‘Eurovision’” could be turned into a full-length show - but the young cast was so up for it and was “raring to go”.
He added: “I will admit to having been sceptical that a short piece on 'Eurovision' could become a full-scale show but I was in regardless!
“'The Show’ brought so many new elements and new international friends who added so much to the experience.
“Those early days were like being on a rollercoaster, not knowing what was going to happen next but we were all buckled in and were raring to go.
"We were so young, wide-eyed and up for anything!”
In the following years, Colm and his fellow co-stars performed over 2,000 performances to more than two million people across four continents.
A notable highlight included opening at the legendary Radio City Music Hall, in Manhattan, New York, on March 13 1996, on the sold-out eight performances over five days tour.
Reflecting on his time in being in ‘Riverdance’, the now O’Shea Irish Dance school director said: “I feel so lucky that I was in the right place at the right time, and I am so grateful that the producers and many others were brave enough to place a very big and uncertain bet on ‘Riverdance' and make it happen.
“I’ve also enjoyed returning many times to the show to see the generations of amazing younger dancers who have come after us and who have brought the show to even higher levels.
“Here’s to another 30 [years]…”
Since that unforgettable ‘Eurovision’ performance, ‘Riverdance’ has played over 16,000 performances throughout 49 countries across six continents.
It has also been seen live by more than 30 million people worldwide, and that figure has risen as the show continues its international 30th-anniversary tour - ‘Riverdance 30 – The New Generation’.
The spectacular production rejuvenates the much-loved original show with new innovative choreography and costumes and state-of-the-art lighting, projection and motion graphics.
And for the first time, ‘Riverdance’ welcomes ‘The New Generation’ of performers - all of whom were not born when the show began 30 years ago.
Amy-Mae Dolan, 'Riverdance' Principal Dancer, said she and the current cast would not be performing today if it was not for the original cast.
She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: “The visionaries who dreamt of this show brought it to life and paved the way for us.
“The many generations of dancers, singers, musicians and crew who inspired us, pushed boundaries and allowed the show to grow and evolve so that someday we could live our dream.”
The tour commenced at the Saenger Theatre in Pensacola, Florida, on February 4.
It will perform in 45 locations across the USA and Canada until the end of June.
'Riverdance' will also perform 30 dates across the UK from August 12 (the Swansea Arena in Swansea, Wales) to December 14 (Eventim Apollo).
The show will play at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin for the summer season, from June 5 to September 7, before it wraps up with two shows - December 17 and December 20 - at the SSE Arena Belfast.
Show director John McClogan said: “It is both a privilege and a delight to celebrate 30 years of ‘Riverdance’, and the unique journey it has taken us on.
“In those 30 years, the show has transformed from a spectacle into a global cultural phenomenon – continuously evolving yet remaining true to its Irish roots.
"On this upcoming tour, we look forward to welcoming ‘The New Generation’ of artists while paying tribute to the talented performers, creators, dedicated crew, and the millions of fans who have made ‘Riverdance’ a worldwide celebration of music and dance.”
For 30 years, ‘Riverdance’ has been touring across the world, delighting fans with unique and memorable performances from the world-class dancers, musicians and singers that form the ensemble, and Amy-Mae promises the cast’s “hearts and souls” will continue to be poured into the show to inspire “many more generations” and, ultimately, to “ensure that there will always be a ‘Riverdance’”.
‘Riverdance’ 2025 tour dates:
Swansea Arena
Tuesday, August 12 – Thursday, August 14
(7.30pm Tuesday – Thursday)
Sheffield City Hall
Saturday, August 16 – Monday, August 18
(7.30pm Saturday – Monday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and Sunday)
Blackpool Opera House
Wednesday, August 20 – Thursday, August 21
(7.30pm Wednesday – Thursday)
Manchester Opera House
Saturday, August 23 – Wednesday, August 27
(7.30pm Saturday – Wednesday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and Sunday)
Liverpool Empire Theatre
Friday, August 29 – Tuesday, September 2
(7.30pm Friday – Tuesday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and Sunday)
Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre
Thursday, September 4 – Tuesday, September 9 September
(7.30pm Thursday – Tuesday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and Sunday)
Oxford New Theatre
Thursday, September 11 – Sunday, September 14 September
(7.30pm Thursday – Sunday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and Sunday)
Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Tuesday, September 16 – Friday, September 19 September
(7.30pm Thursday – Tuesday, plus 2.30pm matinee Friday)
Wimbledon New Theatre
Saturday, September 20 – Tuesday, September 23
(7.30pm Saturday – Tuesday, plus 2.30pm matinee Sunday)
Southampton Mayflower
Thursday, September 25 – Sunday, September 28 September
(7.30pm Thursday – Sunday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and Sunday)
Milton Keynes New Theatre
Tuesday, September 30 – Thursday, October 2
(7.30pm Tuesday – Thursday, plus 2.30pm matinee Wednesday and Thursday)
Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Saturday, October 4 – Sunday, October 5 October
(7.30pm Saturday - Sunday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and Sunday)
Hull Connexin Live
Tuesday, October 7
(7.30pm Tuesday)
Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre
Friday, October 10 – Saturday, October 11
(7.30pm Friday - Saturday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday)
Glasgow King’s Theatre
Tuesday, October 14 – Friday, October 17
(7.30pm Tuesday - Friday, plus 2.30pm matinee Thursday)
Newcastle Utilita Arena
Saturday, October 18 – Sunday, October 19
(7.30pm Saturday - Sunday, plus 2.30pm matinee Sunday)
Stockton Globe Theatre
Tuesday, October 21 – Wednesday, October 22 October
(7.30pm Tuesday - Wednesday)
York Barbican
Friday, October 24 – Sunday, October 26
(7.30pm Friday - Sunday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and Sunday)
Stoke Regent Theatre
Tuesday, October 28 – Friday, October 31
(7.30pm Tuesday - Friday, plus 2.30pm matinee Friday)
Leicester De Montfort Hall
Saturday, November 1 – Tuesday, November 4 November
(7.30pm Saturday - Tuesday, plus 2.30pm matinee Sunday)
Torquay The Princess Theatre
Thursday, November 6 – Sunday, November 9
(7.30pm Thursday - Saturday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and 3.00pm Sunday)
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Monday, November 10 – Wednesday, November 12
(7.30pm Monday - Wednesday)
Cardiff Utilita Arena
Friday, November 14 – Sunday, November 16
(7.30pm Friday - Sunday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and Sunday)
Plymouth Pavilions
Wednesday, November 19 – Thursday, November 20
(7.30pm Wednesday - Thursday, plus 2.30pm matinee Wednesday and Thursday)
Truro Hall For Cornwall
Saturday, November 22 – Sunday, November 23
(7.30pm Saturday - Sunday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and Sunday)
Bristol Hippodrome
Tuesday, November 25 – Friday, November 28
(7.30pm Tuesday - Friday, plus 2.30pm matinee Friday)
Bournemouth BIC
Saturday, November 29 – Sunday, November 30
(7.30pm Saturday - Sunday, plus 2.30pm matinee Sunday)
Portsmouth Guildhall
Tuesday, December 2 – Friday, December 5
(7.30pm Tuesday - Friday, plus 2.30pm matinee Friday)
Brighton Centre
Saturday, December 6 – Sunday, December 7
(7.30pm Saturday - Sunday, plus 2.30pm matinee Sunday)
London Eventim Apollo
Tuesday, December 9 – Sunday, December 14
(7.30pm Tuesday - Sunday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and Sunday)
