The Second Half
SCENE 1 - PART 1
A rolling bouncy rhythm and a fast-paced tempo are just some of the common elements that are found in both Traditional Irish and Scottish Music. The second half of the show settles into a beautiful Irish & Scottish instrumental called Margaret’s Waltz. The bright musicality of the fiddle complimented by the acoustic harmonics of the guitar produces a mellowness nostalgic of the old Irish Ballroom and the ‘Golden Age’ when dancing was at its most popular in Ireland.
The Waltz is succeeded by a magnificent display of Irish Dancing as the Celtic Steps female dancers exhibit the grace and delicacy of soft shoe dancing to the airs of slip jigs.
SCENE 1 - PART 2
Femininity is replaced by its natural counterpart in the next half of this scene as the male dancers return to highlight the influence of tap dance on the Irish dancing world. Performed to the backdrop of a classic blues beat, this smooth jazzy number marries together the two worlds of Irish and Tap Dance, bringing to life the stories of two different genres, skills and of course beats.
Yet another example of a great Celtic Steps original track and unique concept.
SCENE 2
‘On Raglan Road’ is one of the best-known Irish Songs of our time. First written as a poem by the celebrated Irish Poet, Patrick Kavanagh in 1986, it depicts the beginning of his love affair with his wife Hilda whom he first met on Raglan Road, in Dublin’s Ballsbridge, a marriage which was to end years later, many argue due to the age gap between the poet and his much younger lover. Many times during the course of the poem, the writer explores the notion that his love is likely not be returned and in time may cause him great pain.
When Patrick met Luke Kelly of the famous Irish Band, ‘The Dubliners’ in a small Dublin Pub called, ‘The Bailey’, the heart-wrenching tale of this unrequited love was put to music and the rest is history.
A favourite covet by many Irish singers and bands, Róisín Ryan gives a stunning rendition of what is often heralded as one of the greatest love songs of the 20th century.
SCENE 3
Thought to have evolved in the 19th century from the tambourine, the Bódhran was declared by many to be the native drum of the Celts and was possibly used originally for the dying of wool in ancient times.
Whatever the exact origins are, there can be no doubt that the Bódhran is an instrument that holds its roots firmly in Traditional Irish Music, however it wasn’t until the 1960’s that the one-sided shallow drum began gaining wide recognition as an actual musical instrument used within Traditional Irish Music. The drum is struck either with the bare hand or with a lathe-turned piece of wood called a bone, tipper, beater, or cipín.
SCENE 4
This scene places the rich and reedy bellows of the Button Accordion centre stage as we showcase the dynamic range of the traditional Irish instrument, taking it from a soft mellow hornpipe to a fast-paced set of Irish reels in a matter of minutes. Complimented by the Bodhrán, Tin Whistle and the Guitar, this scene exhibits world-class Accordion playing, giving the audience a unique insight into its much loved and celebrated harmonic style.
SCENE 5
The good old Irish Sing Song is often one of the most anticipated aspects of Irish Culture when one is visiting the country of Éire and this part of the show pays tribute to this custom.
‘Where the Blarney Roses Grow’ is a buoyant Irish folk tune and a favourite of many Pub Sing Songs across Ireland and typically in the South. With its catchy chorus, it’s the perfect number for a sing-along and is guaranteed to take you on a cultural music journey which spans the length and breath of our great island.
SCENE 6
Before the time of ballrooms, theatres or dance halls, villagers in the more rural parts of Kerry would gather at the crossroads to dance the night away. It was here, under the light of the moon, that one of our county’s favourite dance sets, The Kerry Polka Set, was born.
This part of the show invites you to step back in time to enjoy the flavour of a Traditional Irish Folk Dance accompanied by the customary tunes of the Fiddle and Button Accordion.
A thrilling light-hearted display of traditional Irish music and dance, still as good today as it was back then.
SCENE 7
The Scene sees the wonderful musicality of Banjo and Fiddle collide in a fast and powerful display of Jamming Jigs. A stupendous performance in which the two stringed instruments dual off in an energy- fuelled, foot stomping showdown of good old-fashioned Irish Jigs. This unique display of popular Irish music is guaranteed to have your toes tapping and heart racing.
SCENE 8
Scene 8 brings the world of Irish Dance & Music together again for an explosive finale to a spectacular evening of Irish Song, Music and Dance as the Celtic Steps Dance Troop perform to ‘The King of the Fairies’, an old Irish folk tune.
This thrilling manifestation of Irish music sees the dance troop manoeuvre slow and intricate air clicks before advancing to an adrenalin of trebles and shuffles against a backdrop of spine-tingling fiddle solos as the audience is reintroduced to the talented musicians, singers and dancers that combine to create Celtic Steps The Show.
A cultural crescendo to a magical evening and a unique Irish experience to treasure forever.
