Riverdance: The Show

Riverdance began as a short stage piece. In 1994 it was performed in the interval of a song contest in Dublin. It ran seven minutes and drew enormous attention. The music was written by Bill Whelan. Jean Butler and Michael Flatley were on the stage. The choir Anúna sang with them. On the strength of that response the piece was expanded. In 1995 it opened in Dublin as a full stage production. The house sold out for weeks. This film is a record of that show. What is on screen is Irish step dancing. The beat of the feet builds the rhythm of the music. Other traditions come in between the numbers. Flamenco and American dance forms take the stage. Michael Flatley and Jean Butler perform in the seventy one minute film, an Irish production John McColgan finished in 1995.