Toetapping and infectious dance, music

DUNEDIN marked the start of the 10year anniversary tour for The Rhythms of Ireland; it was also their first time back in New Zealand since 2010.

This was my first foray into the world of Irish dancing, and I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Perhaps it was the curse of opening night, but there were several lighting issues. There was one notable incident in particular, early on in the programme, where harsh and blinding upstage floor lighting led a gentleman in the audience to yell ‘‘Turn the lights off!’’

It was a request that was welcomed with appreciation by the rest of us. Not to be put off by though, the show went on.

The key thing with Irish dancing is the incredibly intricate and precise footwork; ultimately it’s all about the timing. There is no place for errors or missteps — the footsteps themselves either serve as or add to the soundtrack.

Soloists Ryan Barry, Kevin Goble and New Zealander Ashleigh John were a pleasure to watch. Goble’s secondhalf solo was exceptional, Barry had a commanding presence throughout, and John was a lightfooted delight.

The programme had elements of the traditional, but also those of whimsy — the second half’s Set Dance was a pleasant surprise.

However, this was not just an evening of dancing, but an evening that celebrated the culture and music of Ireland.

It opened with the emotive uilleann pipes — a lovely way to welcome an audience — and the programme had dance pieces intertwined with the musical segments: guitar, violin and the bohdran drum from David Delaney and tin whistles and vocals from Natalie O’Meara.

Aside from a few teething problems, this energetic,infectious programme will have anyone needing to tap their feet along with the cast — just not as well.