Irish dance troupe's tour tough but great fun

The Rhythms of Ireland dance troupe ahead of its show in Queenstown. Photo by Joanne Carroll.
The Rhythms of Ireland dance troupe ahead of its show in Queenstown. Photo by Joanne Carroll.
Queenstown residents were treated to a little piece of Ireland with the Rhythms of Ireland show at the Memorial Hall on Tuesday night.

About 300 people attended the performance, which showcases Irish theatrical music and dance. The show was part of the troupe's Australian and New Zealand tour.

The troupe is made up of 21 dancers, singers and musicians from Ireland, United Kingdom and Australia.

Lead dancer David Moore, from County Louth, said all the performers had Irish parents and most had been dancing since they were young.

Moore is one of four dancers in The Rhythms of Ireland who also starred in River Dance, which was instrumental in reviving Irish dance around the world.

He had been dancing with the Rhythms of Ireland since 2007.

It was a tough tour but "great craic [fun]", Moore said.

"It's addictive. You get to travel the world and get paid for it," he said.

"We've done 90 shows since March. It's tough but we do have some days off. It was great to have a day off in Queenstown so we went up to the Skyline, took in the amazing views and challenged each other to the luge and ended up in Pog Mahones Irish bar," he said.

"New Zealanders are always great audiences. Most people who come to our shows are Irish or have Irish descent. It's crazy. People go mental for us. We get standing ovations. People love the Irish culture, music and dance. We enjoy it and people pick up on that," he said.

 

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