1994 Riverdance was first performed during the seven-minute interval of the
Eurovision Song Contest 1994 at the
Point Theatre in
Dublin on 30 April 1994. The performance was transmitted to an estimated 300 million viewers worldwide and earned a
standing ovation. The performance is often considered the most well-known interval act in Eurovision history and is credited with transforming
Irish dance from a chaste and reserved traditional dance form into a new, modern form. The original seven-minute version was invited to perform at
Dominion Theatre in
London at the
Royal Variety Performance in the presence of
Prince Charles in November 1994. The song "Riverdance", featuring
Anúna and the
RTÉ Concert Orchestra, was released as a single and subsequently topped the
Irish Singles Chart for a record-setting 18 weeks. As of 2010, it was still the second highest-selling single of all time in Ireland, behind only
Elton John's 1997 double A-side "
Candle in the Wind 1997"/"
Something About the Way You Look Tonight".
1995 After witnessing the initial enthusiasm for the interval act performance in Ireland, husband and wife production team John McColgan and
Moya Doherty invested over $1 million into producing a full-length show. The show starred lead dancers
Michael Flatley and
Jean Butler. The video of the show topped the Irish and UK charts in 1995. During its time in London, Riverdance performed at the Royal Gala 50th Anniversary of
VE Day celebrations at the invitation of Prince Charles and at the
Royal College of Music in the presence of
Queen Elizabeth II. By early October 1995, a contract dispute over creative control led to Riverdance parting ways with Flatley on the eve of reopening for a second sell-out run at The Apollo. He was replaced by
Colin Dunne. At the same time, female lead Jean Butler was unable to perform due to an injury. As a result, Dunne paired up with Eileen Martin for the opening night. The initial six weeks at The Apollo was extended twice.
1996–1998 Riverdance travelled to the United States for the first time in March 1996. On 13 March, the show opened at
Radio City Music Hall in
New York City for the first of eight sold-out performances over five days. Costing about $2 million to bring the show from Ireland, Riverdance broke even in its first New York outing. Upon returning from New York, Riverdance went on to have another notable extended run at The Apollo between May 1996 and January 1997. By late 1996, Riverdance had created separate companies in order to tour multiple cities at the same time. The Lee company began a U.S. tour in October 1996. In 1997, Bill Whelan received a Best Musical Show Album
Grammy Award for his recording of 'Riverdance'. A number of notable cast departures occurred around this time, with Anúna leaving in September 1996, Butler leaving in January 1997, and Dunne leaving in June 1998.
Early 2000s In 2000, Riverdance performed on
Broadway in New York at the
Gershwin Theatre. In 2003, Riverdance featured at the Opening Ceremony of the
Special Olympics in Dublin and toured China for the first time. ==Legacy==