OK, I can admit it now but actually I’m one of those people who never saw ‘Riverdance’ before. I saw ‘Lord of the Dance’ many years ago but I never saw the original record-breaking show. So I was delighted last weekend to have the opportunity to see the legendary production here in my home town as the inaugural flagship event for Limerick City of Culture 2014.
The occasion also marked the 20th anniversary of the phenomenal show with Limerick man Bill Whelan proudly bringing it back for a sell out run at UL Sports Arena.
Like everyone else I first saw ‘Riverdance’ on television when it was first performed as the interval act back in 1994 as part of Eurovision in Dublin. So to see it as part of the full stage show live in the arena was electric as memories of the Summer of 1994 flooded back and the dancers and performers in the show wowed the audience with their outstanding energy and talent.
Nothing could have prepared me or the thousands of others who experienced it for the first time for the spectacle that is ‘Riverdance’. There was great excitement in the audience as everyone arrived for the show last weekend, particularly near as there was a proud contingent there proudly supporting Brian Shinnors from Newport. He was one of the dancers in the show and this really added to the hometown atmosphere.
Once again the Limerick audience, which featured visitors who had travelled from all over Ireland for the event, lived up to their reputation giving the ‘Riverdance’ team a fantastic reception with lots of audience participation and a standing ovation. The Irish and international music and dance performers thrived on this energy and gave it back twice-fold as they relished the reaction they received here in Limerick. This made for a superb experience for everyone!
