Riverdance

Riverdance is a globally acclaimed theatrical show that features traditional Irish music and dance. The style of dance featured in the show is a more modern take on traditional Irish dance, a tradition that has undergone many changes in the last 100 years.¹

Following the success of the Riverdance show in the early 1990s, the show has continued to tour, bringing Irish song, dance, and customs to stages around the world.¹

If you want to see the unique and beautiful show in person, get your Riverdance tickets at AXS.

Riverdance became internationally known in 1994 during the Eurovision Song Contest, a live show at the Dublin Point Theatre that was also televised. Producer Moya Doherty, along with composer Bill Whelan and choreographers Michael Flatley, Jean Butler, and Mavis Ascott, created a seven-minute performance that became a defining cultural moment for modern Irish dance.²

While the name Riverdance is often used for the art form itself, the dance style hasn’t always been called that. The show brought traditional Irish dance styles to the world stage, but in its own adaptation. Riverdance brought a more theatrical and contemporary presentation to traditional Irish dance, pairing intricate footwork with larger-scale staging, lighting, and costume design.¹

During more than three decades on stage, Riverdance has been awarded its worldwide success.

• Grammy Award - Best Musical Show Album (1997): Despite being up against several prominent Broadway shows, including Rent, Riverdance won this Grammy Award in 1997.³

The music of Riverdance became a success all its own, receiving recognition around the world.

• Riverdance (1994): Bill Whelan’s music, which he composed for Riverdance, won a number of awards and held the number one position on the Billboard World Music chart for over 6 months. It went certified double platinum in both Australia and Ireland, gold in the US and Norway, gold twice in the UK, and platinum in the US.⁴

While the Riverdance show has evolved over the past 30 years, the energy and excitement of the show have remained the same. Audiences are treated to a full show, with vibrant costumes, a story told through dance and music, and a look into the traditions and sounds of Ireland.⁵

If you’re dreaming of seeing this iconic show in person, get your Riverdance tickets at AXS.