Midsummer Festival opens with trace of brilliance

The Cork Midsummer Festival opened last night on a real high with an exquisite dance and music hybrid show incorporating Irish traditional music and modern contemporary dance.

‘Rian’ takes its title from Liam Ó Maonlaí's 2005 solo album, which in Irish means ‘mark’ or ‘trace’. The show by the acclaimed company Fabulous Beast received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Cork Opera House.

The music, which moved from sean nós singing, jigs and reels to African rhythms was written and performed by Liam Ó Maonlaí and five musicians, while the eight dancers hailed from all over the world.

Together with choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan they created a wonderful, joyful experience which mixed narrative and physical theatre, with dance and song. The show climaxed with an encore that featured audience members dancing on the stage alongside dancers and musicians.

Ó Maonlaí’s album ‘Rian’ was inspired by Seán Ó
Riada’s legendary recording, ‘Ó Riada sa Gaiety’
and this production combines ‘Rian’ as part of a live
score with new material.

There is an audio described performance for the visually impaired on Saturday
23 June at 8pm. There is also a festival talk on Friday
22 June after the show featuring Michael Keegan-Dolan, Liam Ó Maonlaí and members of the Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre company in conversation.

‘Rian’ is at Cork Opera House from Friday 22 June to Saturday 23 June at 8pm. Tickets are €30, €27.50 and €25. Try and catch it if you can!