OUTscene: (RE-view) Riverdance's FINAL Irish Variety show comes to Seattle one last time!

by MK Scott

OUTscene Editor

While Riverdance may be on its farewell tour of North America, the Irish dance craze is nowhere near tapped out.

The packed opening night of the Seattle run (June 3-5) of Riverdance proved the city still has a hearty appetite for Irish step-dancing — an athletic, energetic dance style that first captured global attention 17 years ago. I had always thought that Riverdance was about Irish Dance. It wasn't it was a whole lot more. This was an Irish-style variety show with Dance, song, story, and Music Jam session with plenty of instrumental solos.

Riverdance premiered on the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest as a seven-minute segment, and its show-stopping popularity and subsequent touring production and TV specials fuelled enthusiasm for Irish dance well past the ’90s.

Enthusiasm remains strong for the percussive flashing feet and precise choreography demonstrated by a cast of highly trained professional dancers from around the world.

Australian lead (Sexy in Leather) Craig Ashurst received major approval for his lightning-quick kicks and ankle flicks, while his female counterpart, British-born blond (Beautiful) Chloey Turner added a lyrical flair to her traditional footwork with expressive arms and effortless leaps.

Elaborate, sparkling costumes add interest, with dancers making numerous, rapid costume changes throughout.

This was my first and sadly only time seeing this show, even though I met the Original star Michael Flatley over a decade ago.

My only concern was how thin both the Men and women looked. Unlike Flatley who was in great shape. This cast looked gorgeous, but I was concerned about the thin dancers. 

All in all it was great night to celebrated the Irish culture with Riverdance, before they are gone for good!
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