Riverdance 20 Years Anniversary at the Bristol Hippodrome Review
Riverdance 20 Years
Bristol Hippodrome
30 September to 5 October 2014
Reviewed by Siobhan Bridgwater
I don’t know what it is about this show that trips my cry button. I only have to hear the first soaring notes from a solitary female voice on the corner of the stage, singing so beautifully with such purity and clarity, that I immediately have a lump in my throat. And then the stage fills with dancers, slowly and purposefully, carefully placing each talented foot in front of another and I am fighting back tears. And then it starts. As the stage erupts with staccato movement and the amplified noise of the Irish hard shoe pounding the boards in perfect unison, I am overcome with emotion. I hold the musicians partly responsible. The traditional Irish music is so powerfully evocative it washes over you like a honey. The percussionist, the fiddle player, saxophonist and piper/whistle blower are outstandingly talented and mesmerising.
Everybody knows Riverdance as the original celebration of all things Irish that burst into the world arena during the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 to huge acclaim. But if you are one of the few people left on the planet yet to see the show, you may not know it also showcases the most sensual flamenco soloist, a super Russian ensemble, an unbelievable American baritone and duet of tappers that are in a league of their own.
The musicians, singers and dancers are all champions in their field. Artists and dedicated performers who have perfected their skills over many years to rightfully earn their place in this elite crew. The men are so masculine: strong and powerful, full of energy and stamina whilst the girls carry themselves with such grace and beauty they will take your breath away. The leaping and leg kicking that goes on throughout this show defies the law of physics, reaching heights that should not be humanly possible.
I missed the superego of the principal male lead and the eardrum splitting noise from a full complement of drummers but apart from that this magnificent, timeless masterpiece deserves every accolade and award it has accumulated in the last two decades and long may it continue to pack theatres and delight audiences around the world.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £31.90 to £38.40 (plus £4 transaction fee).
Riverdance is at the Bristol Hippodrome until 5 October 2014. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3012.
Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UZ | 0844 871 3012
