Celtic Legends

There’s a touch of Irish in all of us, or it seems to be that way in Australia at least. It’s because of this that we were delighted when we got the opportunity to have a chat with Sean and Jacintha, two fine folk behind the music and dance extravaganza Celtic Legends.
Thanks so much for taking time to chat with Forte. Have you visited Australia before?
As a show this is our first time in Australia, however many of the cast have visited in the past and we even have two Australian dancers here who tour with us around the world!
How long have you been involved with the Celtic Legends and how far has it come since 2001?
Since 2001, Celtic Legends has grown to be one of the most well-known shows, particularly in Europe. It has toured in pretty much every continent around the world.
I joined as musical director in 2013. In that short time we’ve toured throughout Europe, China, Azerbaijan and Tunisia.
What is the history behind Celtic dance and music and how popular does it remain in Ireland today?
Irish music is absolutely thriving in Ireland today. This can be seen at the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil, which is a huge week-long event where thousands of musicians and music enthusiasts come to celebrate Irish music. Same can be said for Irish dancing. Dancing competitions are held around the world and people compete from everywhere. Australia, in fact, has a thriving dancing community. Many of the top dancers in the world now hail from Australia.
It’s fantastic to see youth taking such an interest in our heritage. This is very evident in Celtic Legends where the average age of the cast is about 22!
Just how many people are behind the production and what kind of set does it involve?
The production in Australia has about 40 people involved, from the show creators, Alex and Eric, to our tech crew, Mike and Calum. Not to mention the 26 artists on stage!
Each morning our brave tech crew set off in the early hours and arrive to the venues several hours before the rest of us even wake up. They tour with our stage dance floor, risers, set, lights and sound! The work that goes in to a successful touring show before there is a single note played is hard to even imagine!
What do you enjoy most about touring the show and what have been some highlights?
No matter where we are the cast are like a family. Touring the show you make friends for life. We’ve even had a few marriages out of the show! We also get to see the world which is a huge privilege. We have yet to arrive at a town or city and not feel welcomed. This is particularly evident in Australia. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming.
What can audiences expect from these shows and how do the core traditions of Irish music and dance translate to an international audience?
Irish music in its raw state is wild and passionate. We try to bring that across to the audience. Our show is fully live so it changes every night. When you come to see Celtic Legends you will see the energy that is pumping off the stage from the artists, whether that’s in a slow song or a rocking set of reels! It is an extremely accessible form of music and dance for an international audience – be prepared to be clapping and shouting from the get-go!
Is there much of a difference when performing in front of a home Irish audience compared to one overseas?
The reaction from the audience overseas is probably more exhilarating, particularly when you know that a lot of the audience may not have seen Irish dancing or music before their reaction can be incredible. We did a festival in Carthage, Tunisia, last year where we were the first Irish dance show to ever perform there. 5000 people screamed for the entire show. It was incredible! Plus at home our mammy’s are in the audience, so we’re usually more nervous!
Is there anything in particular you would enjoy doing in Australia during your time here?
So far we’ve already all snorkelled and scuba-dived at the Great Barrier Reef, so that’s item one ticked off the list! A few of our cast have tried kangaroo, almost all of us have been sunburnt, and we’re just about figuring out all the Aussie slangs for good morning and hello that you have!
Hopefully we’ll get a chance to see a lot more while out here. Our bus driver is like a tour guide, so we haven’t missed anything yet!
When&Where: Eastbank Centre, Shepparton – October 27; The Capital, Bendigo – October 28; Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat – November 5; Deakin’s Costa Hall, Geelong – November 8; and Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool – November 9