The Grammy Award-winning global phenomenon Riverdance will step onto the New Theatre Oxford stage this September as part of its special 30th anniversary tour.
The Riverdance 30 show opens on Thursday 11th September and runs until Sunday 14th September 2025, with evening and matinee performances.
A cultural phenomenon
Riverdance began as a seven-minute interval act during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, featuring Irish dance champions Michael Flatley and Jean Butler alongside vocal ensemble Anúna. The performance was seen by an estimated 300 million people and received a standing ovation.
Such was its impact that producers Moya Doherty and John McColgan, with composer Bill Whelan, developed the act into a full stage show. Riverdance: The Show premiered at Dublin’s Point Theatre in 1995 and sold out within days. Within a year it had transferred to London, New York, and beyond, reshaping Irish dance for global audiences.
Over the past three decades, Riverdance has played more than 15,000 performances in 49 countries, seen live by more than 30 million people.
Riverdance 30: The New Generation
This 30th anniversary production reimagines the classic with innovative choreography, costumes, lighting and projection, while remaining true to its Irish roots.
It brings a fresh line-up of young performers to the stage, all of whom were not even born when Riverdance first premiered. Among them are:
- Lead dancers Kieran and William Bryant are twin brothers, While twin leads have been a feature in Riverdance before, it’s unusual to see siblings share lead roles in an international touring show.
- Fitzpatrick family flair: Siblings Anna Mai Fitzpatrick and Fergus Fitzpatrick are lead dancers.
- Haley Richardson (Fiddle): An award-winning Irish-American fiddler with a growing reputation in traditional music circles, known for touring with The Chieftains and working with other big-name Irish musicians.
- Kenji Igus (Tapper): A Los Angeles–based tap dancer who has performed at international jazz festivals and is recognised as part of a new wave of tap artists blending traditional Irish step with African-American rhythms.
- Dharmesh Patel (Tapper): A British tapper who has appeared on So You Think You Can Dance and other UK dance showcases, bringing a diverse flavour to the troupe.
- Rocio and Alba Dusmet (Flamenco): Spanish sisters performing flamenco solos within the show, again adding a family element to this new cast.
Director John McColgan said:
“It is both a privilege and a delight to celebrate 30 years of Riverdance and the unique journey it has taken us on. In those 30 years the show has transformed from a spectacle into a global cultural phenomenon – continuously evolving yet remaining true to its Irish roots. On this upcoming tour we look forward to welcoming ‘The New Generation’ of artists while paying tribute to the talented performers, creators, dedicated crew, and the millions of fans who have made Riverdance a worldwide celebration of music and dance.”
Oxford Dates
- New Theatre Oxford | 24-26 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AG
- Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th September 2025
- Shows at 7.30pm with 2.30pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday
- Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes including interval
- Tickets via ATG Tickets
Riverdance 30: The New Generation UK Tour Dates 2025
| City / Venue | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre | Thu 4 – Tue 9 Sept | |
| Oxford, New Theatre | Thu 11 – Sun 14 Sept | |
| Southend, Cliffs Pavilion | Tue 16 – Fri 19 Sept | |
| Wimbledon, London, New Theatre | Sat 20 – Tue 23 Sept | |
| Southampton, Mayflower | Thu 25 – Sun 28 Sept | |
| Milton Keynes, New Theatre | Tue 30 Sept – Thu 2 Oct | |
| Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall | Sat 4 – Sun 5 Oct | |
| Hull, Connexin Live | Tue 7 Oct | |
| Edinburgh, Playhouse | Thu 9 – Sat 11 Oct | Extra show added |
| Glasgow, King’s Theatre | Mon 13 – Fri 17 Oct | Extra show added |
| Newcastle, Utilita Arena | Sat 18 – Sun 19 Oct | |
| Stockton-on-Tees, Globe Theatre | Tue 21 – Wed 22 Oct | Extra matinee added |
| York, Barbican | Fri 24 – Sun 26 Oct | |
| Stoke-on-Trent, Regent Theatre | Tue 28 – Fri 31 Oct | |
| Leicester, De Montfort Hall | Sat 1 – Tue 4 Nov | |
| Torquay, Princess Theatre | Thu 6 – Sun 9 Nov | |
| Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre | Mon 10 – Wed 12 Nov | |
| Cardiff, Utilita Arena | Fri 14 – Sun 16 Nov | |
| Plymouth, Pavilions | Wed 19 – Thu 20 Nov | |
| Truro, Hall for Cornwall | Sat 22 – Sun 23 Nov | |
| Bristol, Hippodrome | Tue 25 – Fri 28 Nov | |
| Bournemouth, BIC | Sat 29 – Sun 30 Nov | |
| Portsmouth, Guildhall | Tue 2 – Fri 5 Dec | |
| Brighton, Centre | Sat 6 – Sun 7 Dec | |
| London Hammersmith, Eventim Apollo | Tue 9 – Sun 14 Dec |
Don’t miss it
Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the phenomenon, Riverdance’s 30th anniversary tour promises a breath-taking evening of music and dance. With only four performances in Oxford, demand will be high, book early to avoid disappointment.
