TAPEIRE – DRIVEN BY RHYTHM
Created, produced and directed by James Devine.

ACT 1

Exploring the history of Irish dance from a modern perspective, it travels from the early sean-nos culture, and the "dancing masters" to the stomp of the celli, through the pulsating sound of dance, music and drums. Images fill the back of the stage portraying the rich culture.

Scene 1 - Sean-Nos

Sean-Nós, meaning old-style explores the raw and exhilarating energy of Celtic cultures domestic roots forged at the hearthside. The early sean-nos dance dance style was very much based on improvisation, with thge arm and leg positions relaxed.

Scene 2 - Dancing Master

The dancing masters began to appear around 1680 beginning a tradition that you could argue continues today. Held in high esteem the dancing master travelled from village to village in a district, teaching dance to peasants. Each dance master had a repertoire of dance steps and he created new steps over time. The steps involved both the movements needed for various dances and the foot percussion, called battering, used for rhythmic emphasis..

Scene 3 - Ceili

Céilí (kay-lee) is a Gaelic word that means "a visit" and originally referred to a gathering of neighbours to have an enjoyble time, dancing, and playing music. The first regulated céilí organised by the Gaelic League was held in 1897. However the ceili can be traced back to pre-famine times, when dancing at the cross-roads of villages in Ireland was the fashion.