Riverdance

1990s Irish musical that placed Irish music and traditional Irish step dancing on the global stage. It originated from a step dance performance on television's 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. With centrepieces by the Irish-American world champion step dancers Michael Flatley and Jean Butler (1971– ) and accompaniment by the choral group Anúna, it led to a full-length show, premiered in Dublin in 1995.

Originating as a spectacular seven-minute mass display of highly disciplined, drumming hard-shoe, the musical opened real professional opportunity to dancers trained within the competitive hierarchy of the Irish step dance organizations. Flatley went on to produce and choreograph similar spectaculars, including Lord of the Dance (1996–98), Feet of Flames (created 1998), and Celtic Tiger (2005).

The success of subsequent tours in the UK, Europe, and the USA eventually led to the formation of three Riverdance companies, the Lagan, Lee, and Liffey. With original music and lyrics composed by Bill Whelan (1950– ), produced by Moya Doherty (1958– ), and directed by John McColgan (1946– ), Riverdance integrates traditional and modern music with choral writing, and focuses with sensual dynamism on the evolution of Irish dance and its meeting with other cultures during the Irish diaspora of the 19th century.