'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.
‘Riverdance’ is celebrating 30 years since its theatrical show burst onto the stage.
Composer Bill Whelan, 74, Moya Doherty, 68, and her husband and director John McColgan's synchronised Irish Dancing spectacle captured the hearts of millions globally after their spellbinding seven-minute interval performance at the 1994 ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ in the Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland.
Since that moment - which is considered the most well-known interval act in the competition’s history - the ensemble has played over 16,000 performances throughout 49 countries across six continents.
Colm O’Sé, an original 'Riverdance' cast member (1994-1995) and 'Riverdance' Principal Dancer (1996-2000), exclusively told BANG Showbiz: “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].”
More than 30 million people worldwide have seen ‘Riverdance’ live, and that figure has risen as the show continues its international 30th-anniversary tour - with UK shows starting on August 12 at the Swansea Arena.
‘Riverdance 30 – The New Generation’ rejuvenates the much-loved original show with new innovative choreography and costumes and state-of-the-art lighting, projection and motion graphics.
It also features new 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 - and living their dreams - 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.
“Most importantly, we thank our audiences.
“‘Riverdance’ would not be celebrating its 30th anniversary if it wasn’t for the continued love and support of our audiences.
“We appreciate it so much and will never, ever take it for granted.
“We promise to continue to pour our hearts and souls into the show that we truly love, and we grew up watching so that we can continue to inspire many more generations and ensure that there is always 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 Hammersmith Apollo
Tuesday, December 9 – Sunday, December 14
(7.30pm Tuesday - Sunday, plus 2.30pm matinee Saturday and Sunday)
