Cast Changes
Michael Flatley left the show reportedly over creative differences with the producers before the show's second run in London. Irish dancer Colin Dunne stepped into the role of lead dancer and went on to perform in subsequent productions before leaving the show in 1998.
Joseph Moriarty was Michael Flatley's back-up in Riverdance. He retired from the show alongside his wife, Yulia, in 2011. He is now teaching at a local dance studio in his hometown of Columbus, OH.
In June 1998, the show's executive producer created further controversy by revealing that in some of the synchronized group dances, the footstep sounds were pre-recorded to enhance the impression of unified choreography.
Riverdance began a farewell tour after fifteen years of performing and touring the world. During the tour the show played in Bradford, Ipswich, Southend-on-Sea, Blackpool, Bristol, Manchester, Oxford, London, Southampton, Nottingham and Derry as well as other venues in Europe and the Far East and as of 2011 continues in Australia.
Read more about this topic: Riverdance
Famous quotes containing the word cast:
“Just as the creative artist is not allowed to choose, neither is he permitted to turn his back on anything: a single refusal, and he is cast out of the state of grace and becomes sinful all the way through.”
—Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926)
“All great movements are popular movements. They are the volcanic eruptions of human passions and emotions, stirred into activity by the ruthless Goddess of Distress or by the torch of the spoken word cast into the midst of the people.”
—Adolf Hitler (1889–1945)