Irish Classic Dance Drama 'Riverdance' Stages in China's Chongqing

Chongqing - The dance drama Riverdance was recently staged in Chongqing. The world's top tap dancers used extraordinary speed and rhythm on the stage of the Chongqing Grand Theatre and led the audience to experience the historical process of the Irish people's struggle against nature and rebuilding their homes after suffering.

From December 23 to 24, the dance drama Riverdance was staged in Chongqing. (Photo/Yang Xiao)

Riverdance is a representative tap dance work and a treasure of Irish art. Over the past 25 years, this dance drama has maintained a long-lasting and vigorous vitality. The drama not only shows beautiful body language, but also embodies the spiritual connotation of the Irish nation - they are romantic by nature, bold and free-spirited, and love singing and dancing, and their unique history of national struggle adds a touch of depth to their romanticism.

Before this tour, the creative team re-recorded the original soundtrack. They innovated the design of lighting, stage, and costumes, once again letting the Chinese audience appreciate Irish dance's unique charm and cultural connotation with a new look.

Dancers of Riverdance were taking a curtain call. (Photo/Yang Xiao)

British sociologist Farrell Waterman believes that Riverdance is one of Ireland's important cultural symbols. Watching this dance drama is like looking through a thick history book - it reflects the changes of Irish society in different historical periods in a poetic form, as if a bridge connecting the past and the future, showing the rich cultural connotations of Ireland.

According to male lead dancer William Bryan, the drama is widely praised not only because it inherits the essence of Irish folk dance, but also because it integrates multiple dance and music elements in the process of innovative development. The combination of classical charm and a modern sense of fashion gives this traditional folk dance renewed vitality.

On the stage, the hardships of rebuilding the homeland after suffering and the journey of Irish culture worldwide were all transformed into powerful dance moves. Off the stage, the audience clapped, cheered, stamped their feet, and even stood up and danced together. The atmosphere was vivacious.

Dancers of Riverdance interacted with the audience. (Photo/Yang Xiao)

"Chongqing is an amazing city, and I'm thrilled to experience its vibrant energy with everyone!" exclaimed Andy O'Reilly, a seasoned dancer with 16 years of involvement in Riverdance, in a post-show interview. He shared that in his view, the audience need not remain seated in a formal posture while watching Riverdance; its lively and interactive nature is part of the show's unique appeal.

To the delight of the audience, the creators also incorporated the melody of 'A Great River' into the performance, enhancing engagement with the Chinese audience. The inclusion of classic Chinese musical elements not only captivated the audience, leading them to hum along, but also demonstrated the seamless fusion of artistic expressions from different cultures on stage.

"True global appeal lies in embracing our national heritage, and this dance drama showcases the very best of it. Riverdance, with its diversity and richness, serves as a masterclass in dance art," remarked He Wen, General Manager of Chongqing Grand Theatre. He noted that Riverdance consistently evolves into a cultural sensation and receives unanimous acclaim wherever it is performed. "Looking ahead, we plan to bring more globally renowned plays to Chongqing, to enrich the spiritual and cultural lives of our citizens and foster cultural communication and integration."

 (Cheng Jialu, as an intern, also contributed to this report)