Irish Celtic – Spirit of Ireland

Take a journey to the Emerald Isle as the cast of Irish Celtic dance and sing their way through a brief history of Ireland.

Paddy Flynn shares the story of his traditional Irish pub with his son, to whom he is about to pass on ownership. 12 dancers, led by dance captain Emmett McMorrow, and five musicians bring the story to life. The small cast is packed with talent. The dancers are precise and agile on their lightning-fast fee. The band, complete with uilleann pipes, produce stirring music and beautiful vocals.

The show opens with jolly Irish music and a lively hard shoe number that had the audience clapping along in no time. Each number has a unique story, ranging from the powerful rhythms of hard shoe dances, to the whimsical, graceful soft shoe pieces. While the narrative is tokenistic, with stereotyped characters and lacking depth, it serves to give the show structure.

Choreographers Jim Murrihy and Denise Flynn are Lord of the Dance alumni. Murrihy says he was inspired by Michael Flatley’s use of arm movements and facial expressions in Irish Dance. This shines through in the choreography that allows the dancers, especially the men, to show off their talent and express themselves.

A craic of a night that will tickle your Irish pride, even if you’re not Irish!

Sophia Dickinson

Photographer: Philippe Fretault