Internationally acclaimed show coming to Castlebar
Stephen Gallagher (left), dancer, and Shane Moran (right), musical director — Rhythm of the Dance.
This June, the internationally acclaimed Rhythm of the Dance returns to Ireland with a brand-new, electrifying show.
On Saturday, June 14, the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar will host a two-hour spectacle of explosive rhythm, rich Irish culture, and heart-thumping live music.
This marks the first time the show will be performed in Connacht, and for two talented performers, it’s a long-awaited homecoming. Shane Moran, Musical Director of the show and a Castlebar native, and Stephen Gallagher, a lead dancer in the show from Foxford, are bringing their world-touring magic to Connacht audiences for the first time.
What makes Rhythm of the Dance different from other shows is the fact that it's performed with all live musicians on stage. This is the show’s premiere with a brand-new set, new music, new costumes, and a captivating storyline of an Irish hurler turned Irish dancer.
As the show’s Musical Director, Shane couldn’t be more excited about the upcoming performance in his hometown:
“I live two minutes up the road from TF,” laughs Shane. “I’ve been in this business 14 years – my family and friends have heard the stories, but now they get to see it live!”
Stephen Gallagher, who started dancing at just seven years old with the Moffatt School of Irish Dancing, has performed in over 15 countries this year alone. But nothing beats home turf: “There’s something magic about dancing for your own,” Stephen adds. “I’ve been in Attymass, Foxford my whole life – you don’t forget your roots. Performing for people who know your journey… it just hits different.”
A Dazzling New Era of Irish Dance Rhythm of the Dance fuses tradition with innovation, blending tap, contemporary, tango and even hip-hop into its high-energy performances. The new production features 15 elite dancers, each with their own solo spotlight, with every instrument on stage being played live, including a very special lineup of local musicians joining for the Castlebar show.
“Every instrument is played live on stage - banjo, fiddle, you name it,” says Shane.
“We want the musicians to have the floor, to show off, to feed off the crowd. This isn’t about playing quietly in the corner of a pub, it’s about letting rip. I encourage the craic!”
And it’s not just the sound that’s evolved; there’s the new set, new costumes, and a powerful storyline woven throughout. As Shane describes it: “It’s about a hurler with the heart of a dancer. It starts off soft and builds into a crescendo – often the crowd is on its feet after the very first number.”
“I love being able to give young Irish musicians their break,” Shane adds. “There’s so much talent here in the West – sometimes all they need is a phone call. And if two lads from Castlebar and Foxford can do it… why not you?”
