Script, Production, Director,
Choreographer.
“...a master of his craftt…” –
The Globe and Mail, Canada
“...pure beat-box with feet…” –
The Herald, UK
In less than a decade, James Devine
(performer, choreographer, director) has emerged
as a multi-talented leader in the percussive dance
world.
Certified by the Guinness Book of
World Records as “The Fastest Dancer in the
World,” Devine clocks in at an astounding
38 taps per second to create a whole new kind
of theatrical experience in his latest production
Tapeire - an electrifying 75-minute collection
of raw, fresh and invigorating energy and talent.
A master Irish dancer and performer,
it is Devine's unique style of "Celtic Tap",
a fusion of Irish dance with Rhythm Tap that has
earned him critical acclaim worldwide.
Possessing a fast and vigorous percussive
dance style, his signature tap has been likened
to “manic typewriters,” “talking
drums” and “tap tornado.” Roslyn
Sulcas, The New York Times critic has called him
"a delight halfway between Fred Astaire elegance
and Savion Glover hunkered-down brilliance.
He's appeared on major television
shows worldwide including the Oscar ceremony of
the 69th Annual Academy Awards, and his choreography
has been featured on television and theater stages
the world over.
Irish-born Devine followed in his
mother's footsteps when he had his first dance
lesson at the tender age of eight. Having lost
the power in her legs due to an illness, his mother
(a former champion dancer) used her fingers to
tap out the rhythms of a beat on the back of his
hand. He repeated the patterns with his feet.
At the age of 14 he achieved the
highest honor bestowed on an Irish dancer by winning
"The Grand Slam" – World, American,
British, All-Ireland and Great Britain titles
in the same year. He is the only Irish man ever
to accomplish this feat.
He has taught dance all over the
world and in 1996 was approached by Riverdance’s
Michael Flatley to star in his new international
smash hit show, Lord of the Dance and performed
in the global tour.
In 1998 he went to Australia to
choreograph, direct and perform the lead role
in the world tour of the hit dance show GaelForce
with which he toured for two years. This was the
first large-scale Irish dance show to have live
tapping.
As a soloist he has performed all
over the world and he was the first male dancer
outside opera and ballet to perform at the Opera
Naradowa (Grand Theatre) in Warsaw in its 200-year
history.
James appeared as guest artist with
Irish music and dance spectacular "Ragus"
in Eastern Europe. He has also performed on tour
with Jose Feliciano, six-time Grammy Award winning
Guitarist. At the 06/07 January International
New Year celebrations at the World Trade Center
in Hong Kong, China, he lead and taught more than
1,000 local and international dancers in an attempt
at a 2,007-minute (33-hour) dance marathon.
Mr. Devine founded his own production
entity "Devine Dance Company" which
won a Total Sell Out Award at the Edinburgh Fringe
Festival for its production, Tapeire - Driven
By Rhythm enjoying popular and critical acclaim
being described as "…well-packaged and
witty… stunning piece…a sure-fire Fringe
hit."
Most recent appearances include
Live with Regis and Kelly in NYC, a three week
NYC residence at the New Victory Theatre on Broadway,
preceded by a Canadian Tour.
For more comprehensive information
about James Devine's career, accomplishments and
future projects please visit http://www.james-devine.com
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