There was nothing bigger on planet earth than Riverdance when it made it’s smashing debut. The show opened at the Point Theatre in Dublin back in 1995. It’s easy to see why this stage show took over the world. The lights, the staging, the music and the Irish dance combined to make something exciting and fresh.
This is the last performance of Riverdance featuring lead dancer and choreographer Michael Flatley. Flatley went onto be a global ambassador of Irish Dance.
Riverdance opened in Dublin and quickly spread throughout the world. It captured the hearts and minds of so many people. Producers, husband and wife John McColgan and Moya Doherty, trapped lightning in a bottle when they brought the team together for this show.
Music was composed by Bill Whelan, and the stage show was d*irected by John McColgan. The shows initial five-week run sold out within three days, reaching record sales of over 120 thousand.
Riverdance went on to perform in front of sold-out audiences in over 450 venues across the world. The live show was seen by over 25 million people.
Riverdance is one of the most successful dance productions the world has ever seen.
Bill Whelan composed the baroque influenced suite, which combined Irish folk music with rock rhythms, electric bass and drums and a four piece horn section.
Back in the early 80s, Whelan and partner Dónal Libby, composed a three-part suite called Timedance which was the genesis of Riverdance.
Michael Flatley was the star of the show and he choreographed many of the numbers.
Flatley was born in Chicago’s southside to recent Irish immigrants. At age 17, he was the first American to take home the World Irish Dance title at the Oireachtas Rince ba Cruinne, better known as the Irish Dance Championships.
This video shows Flatley’s last performance with Riverdance. Departing was not easy as their was a rift between Flatley and the producers.
The two parties clashed over salary and royalty fees. Flatley claimed the dispute was about creative control of his own choreography.
Flatley lays it all out in this performance. He controls his movement and steps traveling across the stage with grace and showmanship.
The dancers on stage, the musicians in the background, and the lighting technicians, are all working at the top of their game. It truly shows how amazing every aspect of this show was.
Flatley went on to produce, star and choreograph several shows that take Irish dancing to the next level. He created Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger Live.
Flatley’s shows have performed in front of more than 60 million people, in 60 countries, and raking in more that one billion dollars.
YouTubers are going gaga over this video. At the time of this article there are more than 3.2 thousand comments.
”It’s so satisfying that they are all so perfectly synchronized. Makes me so happy.”
”Do you know what kind of shape you have to be in to do this style dance, not to mention athletic and skilled. These people are incredible athletes.”
”It doesn’t matter how many times I watch this, I’m in awe. Love it.”
One of the most amazing moments in the video is the duel between Flatley’s tapping shoes and the big bass drum. The drum bangs out a beat and then Flatley’s feet respond and then they repeat.
Sit back and prepare to be amazed as Flatley’s feet outwit the drum and win the duel. By the way Flatley owns the world record for most taps within a second. Flatley can do 35 taps!
Click the video below to see Flatley performing at his peak in his final performance with Riverdance. You will be amazed at his dexterity and skill on his feet.
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