The little girl ahead is probably three, but can’t be more than four years old. Her mother holds her hand tightly as they make their way back into the area.

The interval is almost over, and with most of the crowd seated again, there is plenty of room to manoeuvre. The little girl takes advantage of this.

She skips and hops the basic one- two-three Irish dancing step, dragging her mother along.

Even on Riverdance’s 25th anniversary tour, the next generation are preparing to take up the mantel

As they near their seats, she breaks away and dances ahead. Ready once again to watch the show that has inspired countless people the world over into Irish dance.

Even on Riverdance’s 25th anniversary tour, the next generation are preparing to take up the mantel.

Amy-Mae Dolan in the 3Arena, where Riverdance 25 started recently, kicking off where it all began in the Point, as it was then called. \ Ewa Figaszewska and Fatima Caballero

Amy-Mae Dolan glides onto the stage of the SSE Arena, Belfast. The flame-haired Tyrone dancer shows exceptional skill and a vast range of emotions. She is sometimes sad, sometimes scared, but also strong and fearless.

Earlier, Irish Country Living got to meet Riverdance lead dancers Amy-Mae and her dance partner Bobby Hodges.

They’re catching a bite to eat in the AC Hotel, just across the Lagan from where they will later perform. Off stage, in contrast to her powerful dance persona, Amy-Mae is quite soft and genteel.

Tonight, Amy-Mae will dance the lead, but not with Bobby. He’s in the troupe on this occasion. The three lead dancers rotate the role each night, as it’s very strenuous. The shows you’re not leading, you’re in the troupe.

The pair know exactly what it’s like to be inspired by Riverdance as a young child.

Dancing was in my family, my mum was an Irish dancer

At 22, Riverdance is older than Amy-Mae herself. She grew up in a world where it always existed and dancing was just a part of life.

“Dancing was in my family, my mum was an Irish dancer. She comes from a family of nine and the sisters were all dancers. My aunty used to babysit me and she had a daughter in Irish dancing. I went along to the classes and watched through the window,” says Amy-Mae.

“They say one day I was just in dancing with them. Mum tells me I was only 22 months when that happened. I’ve been dancing forever, I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t dancing.”

For 29-year-old Bobby, born in Bristol, England, with no major Irish connections, it was the first Riverdance performance in the 1994 Eurovision that spurred him into Irish dance.

“My parents must have thought I was such a weirdo,” smiles Bobby.

“The first class teacher in our primary school was from Ireland. Around the same time Riverdance kicked off, she started an after-school Irish dance club.

“That’s when Mum sought out a school in Bristol. It turns out there was a hugely successful school with loads of boys.”

Chasing dreams

As teenagers, both Amy-Mae and Bobby were prominent on the competitive Irish dance scene. Amy-Mae won the World Championship under 13, coming second twice before and five times after. Bobby won Worlds (as they call it) several times as part of teams, but the individual title evaded him.

Bobby Hodges dancing the lead. \ Jack Hartin

Discussing the glitz and glam of competitive Irish dancing, compared to Riverdance’s simplistic costumes – designed to showcase the movement – Bobby claims he started the bling button trend on waistcoats. We’ll give it to him until someone claims otherwise!

Competing at such a high level, serious hours were put in. Bobby did 34 hours a week in classes, outside of his practice at home.

Amy-Mae went to a dance school in Belfast, an hour and a half from her home place in Aghyaran, Co Tyrone (both her parents are from dairy farms). She may not have gotten to class as often as Bobby, but the effort was as intense.

Although competitions dominated Bobby’s teenage years, it was during this time he came away from his childhood dream of being a professional dancer.

My parents were losing the head, because I came back from uni one day and was like, ‘I’m going to South Africa in three weeks’

However, the idea did raise its head again. Ready to head off to university after completing his A-Levels, a friend of Bobby’s suggested he try out for Lord of the Dance.

“My email must have dropped into the inbox at the point one of the guys pulled out of a tour, because I got a phone call.

“I was in uni at this stage. My parents were losing the head, because I came back from uni one day and was like, ‘I’m going to South Africa in three weeks’. They were like, ‘You’re what, sorry?’ I was there about two days and I knew this was for me, so I deferred uni for the year and 11 years later I’m still deferring.”

Bobby went on to dance in a number of shows, including Prodijig and Heartbeat of Home, before being ask to join Riverdance as a lead five years ago.

After her A-Levels, Amy-Mae went to the Riverdance Summer School in Dublin, where you learn the dances from the Riverdance team.

In a way, it acts as a week-long audition. She was subsequently called into the cast for a Chinese tour and soon became a lead dancer. This is a very matter fact description of a dream come true for the Tyrone woman.

Culturally clued-in

As part of Riverdance, Amy-Mae and Bobby have done lots of travelling. Something so entrenched in Irish culture has ironically brought them to the four corners of the world.

Such has been the level of Irish emigration historically, Irish dancing has long since been global.

However, Amy-Mae feels Riverdance has boosted Irish dancing’s worldly appeal considerably. “It made people say the word ‘sexy’ when speaking about Irish dancing.”

Riverdance is now well and truly an international affair; from touring to cast. At any one time there could be up to three Riverdance companies performing around the world.

Riverdance led by Amy-Mae Dolan and Bobby Hodges. \ Jack Hartin

For St Patrick’s Day, Riverdance is in both England and the US. Not to forget at home, in the summer it will return to the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.

The show is very much rooted in Irish dance, but it also has lots of international elements. There are Russian dancers, a flamenco dancer and tap dancers.

One thing I’ve learned is that people love Ireland

The Irish dance troupe alone is made up of people from Ireland (obviously), the UK, the US and Australia.

When Amy-Mae started touring she was struck by the warm reception they received.

“One thing I’ve learned is that people love Ireland. They can’t believe this small country can produce so much talent. Even though not all of the cast are from Ireland, it was ultimately the influence.”

I’m an English guy, but I’m an ambassador for Irish culture

Bobby very much embodies Riverdance’s internationality.

“I’m an English guy, but I’m an ambassador for Irish culture. Often, when we go to these foreign countries, we’re the only reference of Ireland in that country.

“So we’re ambassadors for Ireland, Irish people and Irish culture. It’s very important. I’ve become an honorary Irish man, because most of my life has been spent, not exactly promoting Irish culture, but as a part of that huge movement.”

Lasting legacy

As well as being part of the Irish cultural movement, Amy-Mae and Bobby are also part of a wider Riverdance legacy. Looking at them, they’re strikingly like Jean Butler and Michael Flatley.

Of course, the very first Riverdance leads, and many of the other leads and understudies down through the years, have provided plenty of inspiration. “At five years old I was running around with a leather band tied around my head trying to be Michael Flatley,” laughs Bobby.

To get herself in the zone, Amy-Mae watches a certain video before she dances the lead.

“I only watch one number really, Countess Cathleen – Jean Butler – because that’s where it started. Now it’s very different, but it just helps me remember that it was a number created around the music, it wasn’t created around a personality.

“That maybe sometimes it doesn’t come down to me on the stage. It comes down to the big picture, with the band, the set and all the female leads that have gone before me. It helps me remember as well that I’m going to be OK out there.”

Countess Cathleen is a number that’s so ahead of its time

With such a long and prestigious tradition of Riverdance, the duo agree they’re carrying an important torch. They feel Riverdance has endured because of its relevance and timeless themes.

“Countess Cathleen is a number that’s so ahead of its time,” explains Amy-Mae, “because it really shows female empowerment. It was created 25 years ago when that really wasn’t a big talking point.

“The female troupes start and the female lead joins in. These three male Russians come on. She’s a bit scared, but she’s still in control and she wins at the end of the day. They created that 25 years ago, before people were talking about how strong women can be.”

The show also highlights the importance of cultural tolerance, which Bobby says in our current climate is hugely important.

“Even down to things going on with Brexit, the whole premise of Riverdance, especially Act Two, is being proud of your heritage and culture, but openly sharing that with other people while accepting their culture.

These numbers were choreographed 25 years ago and they were looking at the world differently then

“Trading Taps is a number with three Irish guys versus two African-American tappers.

“It’s a battle and you realise halfway through the number that you’re not that different. These numbers were choreographed 25 years ago and they were looking at the world differently then.

“I think dance and theatre has always had that ability to address current affairs. I know we’re doing Riverdance 25, but I think it’s more current than ever.”

I can’t see my knees doing another 25

So, is there another 25 in Riverdance?

“Oh yeah, definitely. I can’t see my knees doing another 25 though. Let’s try and get to Riverdance 30,” grins Bobby.

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