“Gaelforce Dance is a tale of love, tragedy and peace . . .” Michael’s narration introduced the four main characters: the two brothers Cuan (Dermot) and Lorcan (Johnathon), Cuan’s bride Aisling (Kristyn) and Lorcan’s dark and wicked girlfriend Rhiannon (Jordan). The troupe gathered on stage for the wedding party opening, the music and the lights rose, and the dancers slid effortlessly into their first routine. In rehearsal it always seemed some little detail went wrong, someone was out of position or fluffed a move; but suddenly that was all over and everything was perfect, and the audience loved it at once.
New to me was Peter Corry, the singer, only recently recruited for the tour. A noted Irish soloist and a veteran of London’s West End with credits such as Les Miserables, he has brought a completely new and different tone to the songs of the Gaelforce show. Until now, it has always featured a female singer, but Peter, a performer of powerful acting ability as well as a superb voice, has added much to the impact of the song sequences.
Richard has made the most of the vocals by blending in small cameo dances – in the bridge section at the middle of one song, Sarah Murray danced a magical short solo that for me was a highlight of the entire evening. Sarah is very petite, with huge blue eyes and a mane of dark hair; dressed in a gorgeous brilliant short red dress, she suddenly flew across the stage, light as a feather on her feet, twirling and skipping through a lovely sequence that included those wonderful Irish dance leaps that seem to pause, momentarily suspended in mid air. Watching her, I was reminded of one of my longtime favourite dancers, Gillian Norris, and I knew I had just seen one more true star of the Irish show stage come to the fore.
Dermot came alive on the stage in Tallinn too, and his commanding performance reminded me of another great Irish show dancer, Daire Nolan. In Lord of the Dance, Daire began as a top-class Irish dancer and gradually grew in confidence and dramatic strength to become legendary in his role – Dermot is showing the same progression. Similarly dark and ruggedly built, with superb footwork skills, Dermot is just now on the threshold of finding his full stage ability. On opening night he took a giant leap forward, his acting so strong that Maggie truly believed his choreographed punches in the fight scenes must have made contact. The emotion he portrayed added even more impact to his dancing.
Kristyn’s graceful portrayal of the complex Aisling has been developing steadily through the past weeks, and it blossomed on opening night to captivate the audience. The role calls for skill in balletic moves and modern dance as well as Irish traditional steps, and a great deal of acting in order to convey the wordless story. She must convince the audience she is dancing in her sleep as we share her dream; she is required to die on stage, and later to dance again as the ghost of her character, returning to persuade the two brothers to make peace. Maggie and I sat with tears in our eyes as we watched her.
Jordan has always been at one with her role as the vengeful Rhiannon. From the first rehearsal days, she had the sultry swagger in her step and acted out the pouting facial expressions in every repetition of the routines. Even when she and the rest of the troupe were dissolving in laughter trying to work out the steps and formations, in an instant she could slip back into Rianan’s character. She has wonderful costumes too, slinky black pants and skimpy tops with glittery shivering sashes, all setting off her glossy black hair. With slick feet and athletic leaps and high kicks, she owns the stage in all her solos and is the bad girl you love!
It is an unusual aspect of Gaelforce that the role with most impact, choreographically and in character terms, lies with the ‘bad guy’, and the show is ultimately led by him at the end. It is a role that could be miserable: the brother who tempts his sister-in-law into a love affair that leads to her death; but as written, as portrayed by Johnathon, there is no moment when the viewer can be against him. The demanding choreography requires a multi-talented performer, skilled in Irish traditional footwork and also highly athletic and accomplished in modern dance and ballet; he has to be an actor as well, but above all he has to be a showman.
If one word had to be chosen to describe Johnathon, it is precisely that: showman. Being on that stage and in command of it is what he was born to do, and he does it with zest and flourish, lifting everyone else on the stage with him and rousing the audience the moment he appears. His joy and passion for it were evident even in the rarified setting of audition day. His achievement is the result of the endless and incessant work of a consummate professional. When the troupe worked, Johnathon seemed to work even harder, more intensely. There was scarcely a moment when he wasn’t pounding out steps or working out moves.
He and Kristyn had two love duets to learn, one particularly difficult with complex lifts that needed hours to work out. They worked so hard (I just loved watching them do it!) and it shows – Kristyn now leaps with effortless ease in a beautiful flip move onto Johnathon’s shoulders. They are a magical couple to watch on the stage. Where another performer might have rendered Lorcan a clichéd womaniser, the depth of Johnathon’s acting gives credibility to his role as Lorcan so that his character comes across as much more real and worthy, and the viewer feels for both the ill-fated lovers. At the end of the evening, it is Johnathon who leads the encores, pacing the front of the stage and encouraging the audience to their feet; and his personality and energy are perfect for the task.
Alan and the rest of the production team had said there would be hiccups this first night, and admittedly there were, but not of the performers’ making. Not all the lighting and sound equipment belongs to the Gaelforce company: some technical elements are provided by each venue, and here the in-house provisions were not state-of-the-art, nor in style or condition the show needed. Spotlights would not move as programmed, lights would not come on as they were supposed to or be as bright as they should have been. Alan and the team had battled all day and all night, but there were moments when the stage was sadly shadowy instead of offering a blaze of light to highlight every dancer. But these were moments only, and the reception to the whole show grew steadily in enthusiasm through the evening.
Announcements had been made that the cast would be available for a meet-and-greet after the show, a lovely finishing touch to the evening. The audience responded with gusto, greeting the cast with beaming smiles, lots of words of congratulations and admiration, and demand for autographs was high. Some of the cast had experienced this fan-interaction before, but for some it was a first glimpse at the feedback to come.
Maggie and I joined the company backstage in the gathering room and while the crew set in at once to break the set and pack up, the champagne flowed as opening night was toasted and celebrated. The bad news was that there could not be a long party night, as a last-minute matinee had been added to the schedule at the next venue, so the bus call was for 5 am! A five-hour drive was ahead of the troupe, with two shows at the end of it, at 4 pm and 8 pm. Gili had a positive outlook on it however, saying he thought it was good, coming so soon in the tour, so they would get lots of practice very fast and be able to polish the show even more! I’m not sure he felt that way at 5 am, but it was a great attitude to have.
Back at the hote, some of the troupe headed upstairs to pack and try to get some sleep, but most were too high from all the excitement and lingered in the lounge chatting over drinks. Kieron was persuaded to fetch his banjo and sing for us, and we sang along. Liam remarked that he hadn’t realised Kieron had so many musical talents beyond his pipes, flutes and whistles – in fact, he has a great voice and plays a mean banjo as well! With the bribe of an extra beer, Liam persuaded Kieron to give us a rendering of the beautiful Caledonia, and Richard was bullied into singing Waltzing Matilda specially for our Brisbane girl, Caroline.
At last, at around 3.30 am, all but one or two finally went up to bed! By then, Michael, Alan and Ella, and Liam Brady had all left on the sleeper coach (see my interview with Alan) for the next destination. I set my alarm clock so I would not miss seeing them all off on the coach – wishing I was going along, in spite of the early hour. The trip wouldn’t be too bad, as the coach was full-size and there were only about 25 travelling, so everyone could have two seats to themselves and so get more comfortable to try and get more sleep. Some, very sensibly I thought, went in pyjamas and cuddly slippers! I did wonder what they would do when the coach stopped for breakfast, but I guess a coat can hide a multitude of sartorial sins!
As a final postscript, I would like to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to all the members of the Gaelforce troupe, who have made me so welcome and taken me so warmly into their midst. They literally drew me in as one of them from the first moment, and it has been a joy and a privilege to spend time with them. I know I have new friends, and I look forward to following their adventures as rising stars, and to meeting them again many times along the way.
And the ultimate, very special ‘Thank You’ to my hosts, Michael, Alan and Richard. They have overwhelmed me with their warm welcome, and with their generosity and enthusiasm over my presence and this feature. I could not have gone on this adventure without the generosity of the Gaelforce company. It has been a fabulous experience, a real highlight in my life, and I hope I have been able to share at least some of the magic with Celtic Cafe visitors, and that many of you will follow up with a visit to see Gaelforce Dance live when it comes your way. You will have a great evening!
When we parted, the troupe members, one after another, hugged me and thanked me for coming – I love the hugs, but oh no, it is I who gets that line, my friends! Thank You For Having Me! I’ve had a ball! And as you have only barely begun on what is destined to be a highly successful and long extended world tour, I know we will meet again somewhere soon.
Meanwhile, keep dancing and Enjoy!
Author: Ann Margaret Keller
Editing: Louise Owen
