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Irish Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Hundreds of former dancers turn out for launch of Riverdance's 30th anniversary show in Dublin
HUNDREDS of former Riverdance dancers came together this week to enjoy a special performance of the show in Dublin. Held at the Gaiety Theatre last night, some of the original stars of the show were in the audience for an alumni performance of the 30th anniversary show. Originally a seven-minute Eurovision interval act which impressed television audiences in 1994, Riverdance debuted in 1995 as a full-length musical and theatrical performance. Former Riverdance leads Breandán de Gallaí, Susan Ginnity and Pat Roddy pictured with Director John McColgan ahead of a special alumni event held at the Gaiety Theatre last night Composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty, and directed by John McColgan, the original troupe was led by Michael Flatley and Jean Butler. Riverdance lead dancers Jean Butler and Micheal Flatley pictured in Dublin in 1995 To celebrate its 30-year milestone, Riverdance 30 – The New Generation has embarked on a special anniversary tour this year, which will see it visit 30 UK venues - one for each year of its history - from August to December. Current Riverdance leads Amy Mae Dolan and Fergus Fitzpatrick pictured on the Gaiety stage The production rejuvenates the much-loved original show with new innovative choreography and costumes and state of the art lighting, projection and motion graphics, the producers have confirmed. 'It is both a privilege and a delight to celebrate 30 years of Riverdance and the unique journey it has taken us on,' Riverdance director John McColgan said. 'In those 30 years the show has transformed from a spectacle into a global cultural phenomenon – continuously evolving yet remaining true to its Irish roots.' Former Riverdance leads Breandán de Gallaí and Susan Ginnity pictured with Amy Mae Dolan and Fergus Fitzpatrick He added: 'On this upcoming tour we look forward to welcoming 'the new generation' of artists while paying tribute to the talented performers, creators, dedicated crew, and the millions of fans who have made Riverdance a worldwide celebration of music and dance.' The original Riverdance cast pictured in Dublin in February 1995 Composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by John McColgan the 30th anniversary show will run at the Gaiety Theatre until September, when it will begin its UK tour. See More: Anniversary, Dublin, Gaiety Theatre, Reunion, Riverdance, Tour
Extra.ie
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Reeling in the years -- The jig certainly isn't up as Riverdance celebrates three legendary decades
From a stunning interval act during Eurovision to a global phenomenon… Riverdance is celebrating a remarkable 30 years on the road tonight. As soon as the short–but–thrilling first-ever performance finished in the Point Depot in 1994, thousands in the audience jumped to their feet and erupted into ecstatic applause. The original producer, John McColgan, has recalled that he was in tears at the reception the seven-minute 'interlude' received and knew he had to give Riverdance its own Broadway-style show. Director of Riverdance John McColgan. Pic: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos. Just a year later, Riverdance was on the road and has been ever since, entertaining millions around the globe and bringing them a taste and flavour of the rich Irish culture that spawned it. In its 30 years on the road, the show has seen many romances blossom among cast members, producing 70 marriages and 130 babies. Riverdance 30 – The New Generation has kicked off a three-month stint at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, running until September 7. Original Riverdance. Pic: File A sign of its longevity is the fact that the entire cast is now younger than the show itself. Daragh Roddy, the son of a former Riverdance lead, Pat Roddy, is dancing in the show's Dublin debut. The show made careers of its original leads: US-born dancers Michael Flatley, 66, and Jean Butler, 54, both went on to individual global stardom. Overseeing rehearsals for the new show was McColgan, now 80, who produced the original performance with his wife, Moya Doherty, 68. Current Lead Riverdance dancers Amy Mae Dolan and Fergus Fitzpatrick on stage with Director of Riverdance John McColgan and (L) Former dancer Susan Ginnety and (R) Breandán De Gallaí. Pic: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos. He recalled: 'The Point Theatre: when Riverdance finished, 4,000 people jumped to their feet in unison, but I was in tears, I knew something special had happened.' A year later, McColgan had turned the interval act into a two-hour stage show, which opened in Dublin on February 9, 1995. Talking about the transformation, he said: 'I was a big fan of the Broadway musical, and I wanted to take Irish dance and the very strait-laced way it had been performed. We change it and polish it all the time. Former Riverdance dancer Pat with his son Darragh (20). Pic: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos. 'The fundamental show is the same, but you get new energy every time there is a new cast. They're like young athletes now, and they take it very, very seriously.' Anna Mai Fitzpatrick, who dances in the show with her brother Fergus, grew up in Meath thinking she wanted to be in Riverdance. She said: 'We absolutely feel the responsibility and we take that challenge completely positively and we see it more as an honour rather than a heavy weight. Riverdance was here before either of us were born.' Fergus described leading Riverdance along with his sister as a 'dream come true', adding: 'It's even more special to be able to have family on the road with you when you're traveling, getting to do what you love, getting to see these amazing places while taking care of the iconic show.' While Sheena McMorrow is too young at 17 to join the full cast, she took part in last night's special performance at the Gaiety, following in the dance steps of her parents, Fran and Jonathan McMorrow, both former Riverdance members. 'My parents met in Riverdance, and that just made it so clear Irish dancing was going to be a big part of my life,' she said. Dad Jonathan said: 'It's fabulous for her to be able to do this. She's looked forward to this day for a very, very long time.' Tickets for the Gaiety shows are priced from €36.55 to €61.10.
RTÉ News
20-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Profits and revenues slump at Riverdance company due to absence of US tour
Post tax profits slumped at the company behind Riverdance last year by 87% to €247,065 due mainly to Riverdance not touring the US in 2024. New accounts filed by Abhann Productions Ltd show that post tax profits reduced from €1.9m in 2023 to €247,065 in the 12 months to the end of June last. The drop in post tax profits followed revenues declining by €9m or 54% from €16.7m or €7.7m. Commenting on the financial performance today, co-founder of Riverdance, John McColgan said: "The main reason for the difference between the two years is because Riverdance did not tour the USA in the year ended 30 June 24". Mr McColgan said that Riverdance "had another thriving year for the year ended 30 June 2024". "In this period Riverdance was in the Gaiety in Dublin for the Summer months with another very successful run. Also in the year Riverdance toured China, Australia and Japan and achieved excellent attendances and standing ovations in all these locations," he said. It is now 31 years since Riverdance made its debut at the Eurovision Song Contest as the interval act during the 1994 contest in Dublin and Riverdance is this year celebrating its 30th anniversary as a global entertainment touring phenomenon. Revenues are expected to increase sharply in the current year as Riverdance is currently touring the USA and Canada in a tour that commenced in January and is to end in June of this year. Riverdance is scheduled for another USA tour from January to June 2026 and also plans for a China tour in this period. In the current financial year, Mr McColgan said that Riverdance was in the Gaiety from June to September 2024, Taiwan and Europe last Autumn and currently in the USA to June. "In March of this year, Riverdance performed again in the Kennedy Centre in Washington and Radio City in New York to name a few locations and received standing ovations every night," he said. The strong profits of 2024, 2023 and 2022 follow Covid-19 related losses of €1.097m in 2021 and €747,465 in 2020 as a result of the pandemic shutting down the show from March 2020 to September 2021. Moya Doherty is also a co-founder and sits on the board with Mr McColgan and David Orr. Aggregate pay to directors decreased by 31% from €1.8m to €1.24m. The amount owed by the company to the directors last year reduced sharply. Mr McColgan was owed €8,680 compared to €417,182 12 months prior while Ms Doherty was owed €161,006 compared to €594,891 at the end of June 2023. Riverdance usually has two productions touring simultaneously each employing 50 to 55 in cast and crew. The firm's cash funds decreased from €5.34m to €4.17m. Accumulated profits at the end of June last stood at €4.18m.
Irish Independent
20-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Profits drop for Riverdance after focus on non-US tours
New accounts filed by Abhann Productions Ltd show that post tax profits reduced from €1.9m in 2023 to €247,065 in the 12 months to the end of June last. The drop in post tax profits followed revenues declining by €9m or 54pc from €16.7m or €7.7m. Commenting on the financial performance today, co-founder of Riverdance, John McColgan said: "The main reason for the difference between the two years is because Riverdance did not tour the USA in the year ended 30 June 24" Mr McColgan said that Riverdance 'had another thriving year for the year ended 30 June 2024'. He said: 'In this period Riverdance was in the Gaiety in Dublin for the summer months with another very successful run. Also in the year Riverdance toured China, Australia and Japan and achieved excellent attendances and standing ovations in all these locations.' It is now 31 years since Riverdance made its debut at the Eurovision Song Contest as the interval act during the 1994 contest in Dublin and Riverdance is this year celebrating its 30th anniversary as a global entertainment touring phenomenon. Revenues are expected to increase sharply in the current year as Riverdance is currently touring the USA and Canada in a tour that commenced in January and is to end in June of this year. Riverdance is scheduled for another USA tour from January to June 2026 and also plans for a China tour in this period. In the current financial year, Mr McColgan said that Riverdance was in the Gaiety from June to September 2024, Taiwan and Europe last Autumn and currently in the USA to June. He said: 'In March of this year, Riverdance performed again in the Kennedy Centre in Washington and Radio City in New York to name a few locations and received standing ovations every night.' ADVERTISEMENT The strong profits of 2024, 2023 and 2022 follow Covid-19 related losses of €1.097 million in 2021 and €747,465 in 2020 as a result of the pandemic shutting down the show from March 2020 to September 2021. Moya Doherty is also a co-founder and sits on the board with Mr McColgan and David Orr. Aggregate pay to directors decreased by 31pc from €1.8m to €1.24m. The amount owed by the company to the directors last year reduced sharply. Mr McColgan was owed €8,680 compared to €417,182 12 months prior while Ms Doherty was owed €161,006 compared to €594,891 at the end of June 2023. Riverdance usually has two productions touring simultaneously each employing 50 to 55 in cast and crew. The firm's cash funds decreased from €5.34m to €4.17m. Accumulated profits at the end of June last stood at €4.18m.
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Riverdance profits down as company did not tour US
Post-tax profits were down at the company behind Riverdance last year by 87 per cent to €247,065 due mainly to dance company not touring the United States in 2024. Accounts filed by Abhann Productions Ltd show that post-tax profits reduced from €1.9 million in 2023 to €247,065 in the 12 months to the end of June last. The drop in post-tax profits followed revenues declining by €9 million or 54 per cent from €16.7 million to €7.7 million. Commenting on the financial performance today, co-founder of Riverdance, John McColgan said: 'The main reason for the difference between the two years is because Riverdance did not tour the USA in the year ended 30th June, 24' READ MORE Mr McColgan said that Riverdance 'had another thriving year for the year ended 30th June, 2024'. 'In this period Riverdance was in the Gaiety in Dublin for the summer months with another very successful run. Also in the year Riverdance toured China, Australia and Japan and achieved excellent attendances and standing ovations in all these locations,' Mr McColgan said. It is now 31 years since Riverdance made its debut at the Eurovision as the interval act during the 1994 contest in Dublin and Riverdance is this year celebrating its 30th anniversary as a global entertainment touring phenomenon. Revenues are expected to increase sharply in the current year as Riverdance is currently touring the USA and Canada in a tour that commenced in January and is to end in June of this year. Riverdance is scheduled for another US tour from January to June 2026 and os also planning a China tour in this period. 'In March of this year, Riverdance performed again in the Kennedy Centre in Washington and Radio City in New York to name a few locations and received standing ovations every night,' Mr McColgan said. The strong profits of 2024, 2023 and 2022 follow Covid-19 related losses of €1.097 million in 2021 and €747,465 in 2020 as a result of the pandemic shutting down the show from March, 2020 to September, 2021. Co-founder Moya Doherty sits on the board with Mr McColgan and accountant David Orr. Aggregate pay to directors decreased by 31 per cent from €1.8 million to €1.24 million. The amount owed by the company to the directors last year reduced sharply. Mr McColgan was owed €8,680 compared to €417,182 12 months prior while Ms Doherty was owed€161,006 compared to €594,891 at the end of June 2023. Riverdance usually has two productions touring simultaneously each employing 50 to 55 cast and crew. The firm's cash funds decreased from €5.34 million to €4.17 million. Accumulated profits at the end of June last stood at €4.18 million.
