Riverdance, The Farewell Tour, Tuesday 11th May

The Concert Hall – Nottingham

By Reg Enderby, Editor of The Nottingham Gig Guide

Riverdance & Guinness, a great combination

The haunting music of a lone flute gave an enchanting feel as dry ice flooded onto the stage like a hammer house horror. Then an explosion of dance as the male lead took to the stage, although this one looked more like a dancing runner bean. Dancing vegetable or not this guys moves were incredible and from what at first was a luke warm reception from the assembled full house, soon erupted into applause and admiration.
We all know something about Riverdance and have come to expect to be dazzled by the chorus of gorgeous girls & upright men who strut and tap their way through amazing routines and we were not disappointed. Costumes, clever choreography, computerised lighting and rear projection images all added to the sparkle of the occasion.
The climax of the first act is Riverdance itself with the cast juxtaposing for position at the front of the stage on what is not the largest platform in the world and a few bumps from the bigger members of the cast assured their prominent position. I am sure after a few more nights they will have worked out the stage dimensions and fit snugly onto Nottingham’s favourite mantle.
A cold Guinness at half time (purely for the Irish theme) and I was comfortably awaiting to be entertained for the second half. Sorry band, I did not mention you earlier, but really you deserve your own show!!.. From only a four piece band there was a big sound and even bigger talent playing a multitude of instruments that we could only guess at. The fiddle of course I did recognise and is synonymous with Irish music and they had one of the best in Niamh Fahy, who looked pretty good too. I recommend you get a programme just for the insight into the array of musical instruments and personal backgrounds of these guys and girls.
There were many more surprises in store and not wanting to give to much away and spoil it for future theatre goers, there were fusions with Spanish, Russian and American influences. There is also a great light hearted feel about the show and in some areas comedy is cleverly injected leaving the audience with a warm glow as they chuckle through what seemed to be almost adlib moments which make every experience of this show unique.
Flatley may have left, but Riverdance, The Farewell Tour did not fall flat with me or the right Royal Nottingham Concert Hall crowd. See it for yourself

Performances 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th & 16th May

Check The Royal Concert Hall website for performance times and ticket availabilies at www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk
Reg Enderby, Editor, Nottingham Gig Guide

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