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The Herald, UK - Aug 22, 2006
ENERGETIC FUSION. HURRICANE PERFORMANCE.
If hip-hop did tap, this would
be it. It's pure beat box with feet.
By Aideen McLaughlin
Being Irish, I have long detested
the repackaging and commodification of our traditional
culture for mass consumption.
So, it was with apprehension that I
approached Tapeire, a unique style of Celtic tap,
choreographed and performed by former Lord of the
Dance artiste James Devine, accompanied by grunge
fiddle, drums and a unique live video mix. I left
utterly exhilarated.
County Clare-born Devine is a master
Irish dancer who has achieved the dancing grand
slam - he held the World, American British and all-Ireland
titles at just 14.
He is also the world's fastest dancer,
clocking in at 38 taps a second. And, by God, you
have to have a quick eye just to keep up with his
energetic fusion of Irish dance and rhythm tap.
Accompanying Devine on feet (for they
are, without a doubt, his instrument) is violinist
Ashley MacIsaac, from Cape Breton, their electric-fiddle
and flying-feet combo taking old conventions in
new-fangled directions. On percussion is Belfast-boy
Dave Boyd, who got sounds from bodhrans, spoons,
hand steel pans and bones that I didn't know even
existed, his tattoos and piercings adding a nice
visual accompaniment to his tribal rhythms.
The musical interludes are linked by
backdrops, which tell the story of Irish dancing
- with its strict protocols and respected dancing
masters - through photography and words, placing
Tapeire as part of this old tradition, while that
tradition is advanced with every step. Devine's
style is no straight-armed, toes-turned-out jig.
Arms flail and feet fly as cameras, located around
the base of the stage, magnify his hurricane performance
on to a screen in a movie of his own making. If
hip hop did tap, this would be it. It's pure beat
box with feet.
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