Riverdance 30 – The New Generation, at Winter Gardens & Opera House Blackpool Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Cath
Riverdance, the popular dance show featuring traditional Irish music and dance has been delighting audiences for over 30 years which is a remarkable feat for a show that started in the 1994 Eurovision as just an act in the interval! The seven minute piece which Irish dancing champions Michael Flatley and Jean Butler performed, well and truly took the world by storm, so much so that the following year it had been transformed into a stage show which has toured the world and is now probably one of the most famous dance shows of all time – and a lot more successful than many Eurovision acts !!
To mark their 30th anniversary there is a new show “Riverdance 30 The New Generation” which welcomes a whole new generation of performers to entertain theatre goers. The show has been revitalised with innovative choreography, dazzling costumes and a huge video backdrop which helps bring the stage to life.
We went to see the new show last night at Blackpool Opera House and despite being old enough to remember the initial excitement about the show and seeing clips on television this was the first time we’d seen it live. The theatre was absolutely packed, which was a good sign and meant there was a really good atmosphere. From the very first dance the applause was loud and got progressively louder as the night went on.
The show starts with a short video tribute of the 1994 Eurovision performance before taking us into the main performance which follows the Irish history and heritage. The first half takes us from the ancient beginnings and the myths of Ireland then in the second half we’re taken to a more modern time and look at how Irish culture was cast across the world, spreading out and mixing traditions from other cultures yet still keeping the Irish part alive. The video screen plays a big part in setting the scene with clever lighting effects adding drama and atmosphere .
Dance is used to tell the story, traditional Irish dancing for the most part but the show also uses other styles of dance, flamenco for the Firedance reflecting the power of the sun and later in the show, we are introduced to a Russian dervish and then my favourite, a faceoff between The Irish traditional dance and the newer, more fluid, American tap dancing. The dancers were absolutely incredible, flying across the stage at speed without a foot out of place. They really were amazing to watch.
Obviously, dance takes centre stage but the music and singing are also a huge part of the show. There are four musicians on stage who play just as large a part in the story as do the dancers. As well as supporting the dancers they also take the lead during a few of the scenes. I particularly enjoyed the lone piper in scene 4 “Caoineadh Cú Chulainn” and the instrumental scene 8 “Slip into Spring – The Harvest” which sees the musicians playing off each other in a celebration of the seasons with the fiddle taking the limelight.
Thirty years on, Riverdance is just as amazing and judging by the standing ovation and comments overheard when leaving the theatre its magic is still very much alive and ready to enchant a whole new generation. We certainly won’t be waiting another 30 years to see it again!
Rating: 5/5
Tickets start from £40.45
Riverdance 30 The New Generation is at Blackpool Opera House from Wednesday 20th August to Thursday 21st August 2025.
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk or call the box office on 0844 770 0593
Winter Gardens Blackpool, Church Street, Blackpool, FY11HU