Review: Éireann by A Taste of Ireland (Peacock Theatre)

Review by Stephen Gilchrist

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

At some point between the Land Before Time and Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, I took jazz and tap classes. Ok, that’s hyperbole, but it was some fifty-five years ago I was under the tutelage of those mighty soon-to-be icons of choreography, Arlene Phillips DBE and Gillian Gregory, and it was the late lamented Dance Centre in Floral Street, Covent Garden where everybody from Margot Fonteyn (who I saw there a couple of times) and, well, me use to work out.

Arlene and Gillian did their best to teach me to shuffle my feet to music though I suspect the task was beyond even them, but I did manage a 32-bar tap break in a production of Sweet Charity to ‘I’m a Brass Band’ and the ‘Waiters Gallop’ in a  production of Hello Dolly. I’ve always loved dance, right from the off in the 1960’s when I saw John Gilpin and London Festival Ballet (now ENB) perform Swan Lake at what was the New Victoria Theatre (now the Apollo) but if I ever aspired to the dazzling brilliance and nimble dexterity the dancers in Éireann. I suspect that fifty-five years on, I’d still be in the beginner’s class.

Yes, this is an Irish dance show, and its performers are alumni of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, but it also has certain pretentions of narrative. Brent Pace, the Australian Director and Producer, (by which I also assume, the choreographer) explains that he wants to tell ‘Ireland’s story as it lives today.’ The show even credits a ‘Story Consultant’ and Dramaturg. As storytelling, I’m not sure that this conceit works.

As scintillating and luminous the dance is, I am not sure that the style and form of Irish dance is suited to storytelling, particularly the most well-known form, Irish stepdance, (popularised from 1994 onwards by shows such as Riverdance), and which is characterised by the rigid upper body and intricate footwork of its performers. But there are other styles, some more free flowing and in this production tempered with some contemporary movement.

Essentially, Éireann is a two hour series of set pieces, ensembles, solos, and all in-between set to some virtuoso Irish fiddle playing from one of the greatest violinists I have ever seen, Megan McGinley, banjo and guitar. The MD Aaron O’Grady deserves congratulations. There were also some vocals Brian Ó Brain. Although there is a pretence at a narrative structure, it only really makes an impression after the interval with a flourish of Irish nationalism, with a dance commentary on the Easter Rising, Michael Collins et all, Irish independence, and segueing into modern day Ireland.

Act two contains one of the most accomplished solo dance performances I have ever seen, a ten minute set by Principal Dancer Gavin Shevlin whose remarkable and dizzying display of step dance would even make Fred Astaire look up and take notice. I was worn out just watching. I say ‘remarkable’ but truly, the entire company of sixteen is remarkable. The shapes, the synchronicity, the agility, the multiple entrechats and fleet footed acrobatics is a sight to behold.

Yes, there are some features of Éireann which I found slightly disappointing. As I have said, the show lacks the narrative chronicling of Ireland’s history which it purports to tell, though such a pretence I think is necessary in the context of the exquisite dance. The design, lighting (Justin Williams and Danny Vavrečka) and (today, apparently obligatory) videography, adds little, and is rather vague in terms of settings and period. The costume design, however (Jacki Cottom) was well suited to show of the dancers to the best advantage.

Despite the origins of this show being Australian (and I understand it’s precursor - A Taste of Ireland - has toured the world) there is definitely a touch of defiant Irish Republicanism. At one point I expected Mr Ó Brain to burst into a chorus of the 1865 a song ‘The wearing of the green’, referring to the outbreak of the 1798 rebellion, as United Irish rebels conveyed the order to rise up against the British!

“‘Oh! tell me, Sean O'Farrell, where the gathering is to be?’

‘In the old spot by the river, quite well known to you and me.

One word more, for signal token whistle up the marching tune

With your pike upon your shoulder at the rising of the moon”

He didn’t, but you get my gist.

  On Press Night the audience (of which there seemed to be plentiful customers of Irish heritage) were politely rowdy when the dance, the music and vocals really hit their mark. It was, in fact, a glorious evening and an essential one for lovers of dance, dancers, and those, like me who aspired but never got past the foothills of tripping the light fantastic.

Éireann plays at the Peacock Theatre until August 31st

For tickets and information visit https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/eireann-a-taste-of-ireland/

Photos by Danny With A Camera