Childhood Dream, Sort Of....

It sort of was. I loved Riverdance when it first came out, I was 12. I can remember it doing its first run in London, circa 1996, at the then Hammersmith Apollo. I begged my parents to take me- I remember shoving little handwritten notes pleading to go under the living room door in the evening while they were watching TV, but they refused. And later on my dad's cousin and her husband went and walked out half way through! My dad hated the music, and used to still does tease me about it. In truth, he made me feel silly for liking it. But I particularly loved Jean Butler who was the principal dancer. The native New Yorker with a gorgeous head of red curls was really striking to watch, and quite an inspiration for this girl. I tried Irish Dance around the same time with some friends from school , but it was quite hard, and I was frustrated with my progress so I quit! Smart move. 

Anyways, a few months back I saw the show would be in London in the Spring. I wanted to go, but decided to wait a little. But I waited too long, or so I thought, and it was sold out last time I looked. The  last night I was reminded of it again, and decided to do one last look. And they were two tickets left! So I seized the opportunity and went for it. Again, it meant going alone, as if I had done it earlier I had planned to get two tickets, as if you need to sell them two is always more attractive than one. 

The theatre was a bit too small really for such a large show, but I was quite chuffed that having waited SO long I was finally going to get to see it! Unfortunately, the two idiots who sat in front of me rather spoilt it. They arrived late, talked all the way through it, and kept nudging each other and giggling. I was sat next to another couple, and we were throughly pissed off and it really ruined the experience. I looked around, and everybody else was just watching quietly, taking in the spectacle. But oh no, not them. They were a pain in the ass quite frankly, and I was really annoyed that they spoiled something I had waited so long to see, and that I had obviously paid for! Being a true Brit, I sat and said nothing! 

The dancing was amazing, and it was great to see the feet that move so fast. But it was quite condensed, so the troupe looked smaller than you normally see on TV. The flamenco dancer was lovely, and the Russians were fab! 

I would go again, but only if it were at a bigger theatre. Sadly I think I have missed seeing it in its prime, but I am happy that I got to go. And if nothing else, it reminded me how much I still love to dance. My favourite dance (from the show). 

I must get back to it ;-)