"I saw Dancing On Dangerous Ground at 8:00pm on March 9th, 2000 at Radio City Music Hall. This was my first time seeing Jean Butler and Colin Dunne dance in person.

  Let me start by saying that his was truly a passionate performance by all involved...Irish Dancing is best experienced LIVE!

Act 1.

 It started with a dark stage and blue lighting casted on Finn McCool, played by Tony Kemp. The voice of Finn is that of Stanley Townsend...and I have to say that I first thought that both were one and the same. I've seen reports where people have criticized Mr. Kemp's role in this because he is not an Irish Dancer, but in this case, I think it was well casted. Finn is being depicted during his Autumn years, if I may... a strong, yet older man having experienced victory in battle, kingship and love. Grania, (Jean Butler) is everything to him now...he seems to have found new hope, passion and reason for living through her.

  The set is pretty much the same throughout the show. It now has only one 'floating stage' that is about a third in size to the main stage below. This level moves back and forth at will being attached to the two sides of the stage by something similar to railroad tracks. (Sorry that's the best way I can describe it) It was THE LIGHTING that changed the mood...from cool to warm and casted shadows that took you from inside a castle, outdoor training camp, a church, a bar and forest at will. The only 'addition' to the set was a beautiful painted backdrop, from ceiling to bottom of the back suspended 'floating stage'. It depicted the inside of a castle or church rotunda with two columns at each side. This was used in the wedding scene. It was done so well, perspective wise, that it gave me the feeling that I was actually LOOKING UP at Finn and Grannia during the wedding scene and when they were admiring their court in celebration after the wedding took place when in fact, 'I' was actually looking DOWN on the stage.

  When Grania met Finnn for the first time, she did a hard shoe dance for him and you could feel her youthfullness and respect that she felt for him. Jean Butler can really act with her feet!!! =) After that it went to The Training when Joel Hanna came (bursted is more like it onto the stage with a HUGE smile on his face *g*) and led the men in the Fianna in a set of training excercises which majorly included the 'push up and taps routine' (as I call it now). While they were doing push ups they switched from one arm to the other(!) They did a series of taps with the tips of their shoes that echoed what must have been their heart beats...I thought WOW! I had goose bumps during this one and yes, the Kudo drummer, Ray Fean(Irish), added to the military mood.

  Before the wedding, Finn presented Grania with his warrior son, Oísin, performed by Glenn Simpson as well as three body guards, Bobby Fox, Ciaran Maguire and Brian Swanton...they were to be Grania's body guards. All I remember of this piece was the strength and unison of the hard shoe dancing and Jean's 'taken aback in surprise and delight'. *g* 

  In The Female State Of Mind...Deirdru, friend and confidant of Grania, performed by Sorcha McCaul started the dance and was later followed by the rest of the women in Finns' court. This was mostly to break the ice and introduce Grania to the rest of the women in the court and yes, Sorcha looked and danced beautifully!

  In The Hooley, EVERYONE participates...it was a big celebration dance on the night before the wedding. The men and women took turns dancing at first and I liked the way the men danced in this one...it was lighthearted and fun, BUT, they did some moves (in unison) that reminded me that they were still very much a part of Finns' army.

  Diarmuid's Reflection, was actually towards the end of The Hooley, when Winnifred Horan, of Solas, (she's one of my favorite Irish violin/fiddle players now!) came on stage and played a solo. It was here that Diarmuid (Colin) did a beautiful solo!

  The rest of Solas came on stage...on that second level section and it seemed that everyone had come into a bar. I had second thoughts about this one...BUT, they kept it VERY plain, stage wise...the only thing that led you to believe that it was a bar was the stools they used. They were made of chrome, upholstered with metallic, bright colored fabric...each stool had a different color. The SURPRISING thing during this one is that the dancers were SITTING while doing their hard shoe dancing. It was a VERY upbeat tune and their feet seemed to say that they were really having a 'craic-ing' good time! (*sorry*g*, but it's true!) Craic, is the Irish word for 'lively conversation'. It also showed on their faces. They DID get up during this one to dance together and in pairs. It was towards the end of this piece that Diarmuid and Grania's eyes met and they couldn't keep their eyes off each other. Diarmuid seemed to be fighting the way he felt more than Grania here, being the leader of Finns' army I can understand why!

  On Dangerous Ground, was next, right after the above when Diarmuid and Grania danced closer to Seamus's 'Seduction' number. This is where I was positively convinced that Colin and Jean had made the right decision on choosing Seamus to do the music. It was haunting and beautiful!

Act II.

  At The Wedding of Finn and Grania: When the curtain went up, the court members were below and Jean and Finn were on the second stage level, the painted back drop was there (as described above) and I was in awe when I saw Jean in the wedding dress. It was short in the front and had a long train in the back. The back section was 'encrusted' with beading and pearlessenced(is this a word?!) sequences. It looked HEAVY and after the nuptuals, that heavier part was removed along with the long sleeves to reveal a 'lighter' version of the dress underneath which had no sleeves, but also had a 'train'...hard to explain, but WHAT A DRESS...talk about lighting up a stage. Just before the nuptuals, Finn noticed that Grania seemed different and the voice of Finn, Stanley Townsend, said: 'Yet though she placed her hand in mine she would not share my glance...And a fear came over me..For her Soul seemed to dance with another'. The wedding festivities continued with the newly married couple admiring the celebrations below. I liked the dancers' dresses during this one. They were in different pastel tones, metallic in sheen, but pastel. They were gathered at the back and longer at the back (covering the back of the knees) than the front. They really made a 'court-like' impression. If I don't seem to be describing too much of the dancing so far, it's only because I don't know what to call what I saw ("Was that a series of treeble or slip jigs?!"*g*), but, from an Irish dance fan's point of view it was SUPERB!

  In Grania's Betrayal, Grania, with the help of her friend, Deirdru (Sorcha McCaul) and the rest of the women of the court...they managed to gather Finn and the men and entice them with plenty of wine. After the men fell into a deep sleep, Grania and Diarmuid escaped. 

  In The Lovers in Flight, Grania and Diarmuid find refuge in the forest...knowing that this may only be temporary and that Finn and his men would be looking for them.

  Finn and the men of the Fianna awaken. As punishment to the women, Finn orders them to join the men in the search for Diarmuid and Grania. This is the part when flashes of light hit the audience, but, as Cait mentioned, it was only briefly. Once found, Diarmuid and Grania become separated. Diarmuid is alone on stage surrounded by the Fianna who try to stop him at every turn. I loved Colin's dancing and footwork in this one! Finn closes in on Diarmuid and stabs him. *No Diarmuid was NOT shot with a gun as I've read in a review!*

  After the fatal act, The Fianna and the women seem to join Grania in her lament, but found their places again by Finn. Finn rejects Grania by turning his back on her and she is left dancing alone in her grief.

  During the Epilogue the lovers are seen dancing together...as if only in legend.

  In closing, I have to say that I'm glad I bought the program...*LOL*The show really flowed in telling the story and the program helped me to categorize the sections.

  I wasn't sure I was going to welcome the 'modern' pieces, but they really helped in telling the story. It was truly successful in portraying the characters and feel of the story. This show succeeded in that! I found it to be beautiful to look at, listen to and very INNOVATIVE in portraying Irish Dance.

  Cait, is right about Colin! I've never seen an Irish dancer that can 'zip' FAST accross a stage while using a series of taps with such grace and make it look so easy! 

 After the show, we waited PATIENTLY in the cold by the back stage door of Radio City. We really didn't wait for very long and understandably they had to cool down and get themselves together. The first recognizable face was Joel Hanna! I met Joel when I saw RDs' The Lagan company in Miami, Feb. of '99. He recognized me! *LOL* He gave me his autograph. His mother was there visiting him and understandably she seemed happy and proud, so I didn't want to take too much of his time. Next face I recognized was Winnifred Horan of Solas. I don't know what made me call her "Winnie"! *LOL!* I yelled, "Winnie!" and she stopped and looked around and said, "Who... who's calling me?" *LOL* I remembered after I said that, that I had known a 'Winnie' while in High School *LOL!!!* She asked me if I had liked the show and I said "YES, it was great...you were great! I love your violin playing! Then I noticed that Mick McAuley, accordian/concertina player, was standing by us and I told Winnifred that he makes the accordion sound like a drum at times. She laughed and with a huge grin said that they tell him that ALL the time. Mick, just laughed and willingly signed my program. Then Seamus came (Pic: Seamus Egan and the author)
outside and I asked him for his autograph and praised him for his flute playing, he really is a FABULOUS flute player! I told him that I never liked the Banjo, until I heard him play it *LOL* He looked at me as if thinking, What? You don't like the Banjo? *LOL* BUT, with a big smile, he signed my program...Cait, thank you for capturing the moment with your camera! =) Colin came outside then and graciously gave me his autograph and posed for a photo. By then, I was Star Struck and pretty speechless! He seemed a bit tired and had recognized someone that was also waiting, so I let him get to his business. I really found Colin to be very warm towards me and all there...he gave his time and attention to everyone he was in contact with especially the little girls that were waiting to get his autograph. He truly stayed as long as he could! Jean came out last and really didn't seem tired, she was glowing and seemed VERY happy. She asked me if I liked the show and I said, "YES, it's great!" She laughed and smiled and gave me her autograph. By then, they seemed to be heading out, so I didn't get a photo opportunity there. 
(Pic: Colin & Jean leaving RCMH)

  Another friend of ours, Jason, saw the show on Sunday and I was happy to know that the theatre had set up a table inside at the lobby for autographs and meeting opportunity. I'm so glad they did that and hope that they will continue to do so in the future!

  Would I see it again? You bet!!!!!! =) I'm hoping it will come to our new Broward Center For The Performing Arts here in Ft. Lauderdale! ;-) Like most of you, I can't wait for the CD and video release.

  Canadians, it's your turn now...see it when it comes your way!

 Beannacht!
 Marcia