JAMES DEVINE'S TAPEIRE – DRIVEN BY RHYTHM
Created, directed & choreographed by James Devine
Production by Devine Dance Company
Music by Duncan Wickel
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TAPEIRE is the new Celtic inspired dance production that features the Guinness World Records’ “Fastest Dancer in the World,” James Devine who clocks in at an astounding 38 taps per second to create a whole new kind of theatrical experience.
Now direct from sold out, record-breaking seasons on Broadway and at the Edinburgh Festival, he continues to wow audiences and critics around the world with his thrilling Celtic inspired stage show, TAPEIRE, an electrifying unique combination of dance, percussion, music and video in which punk rock collides with centuries of Irish dance. It even includes Devine’s stunning tap rendition of Rimsky-Korsakov's, "The Flight Of The Bumblebee”, one of the fastest melodies in classical music, recognisable for its frantic pace with almost uninterrupted runs of conjunct chromatic 16th notes.
Honoring past traditions, but blasting them feet-first into the 21st century, Devine takes the twin worlds of Irish dance and rhythm tap and blends them into one dynamic form "Urban Celtiic Tap" in an electrifying performance of raw, fresh and invigorating energy and talent - STOMP with a Celtic brogue.
Devine's breakneck tap dancing, combined on stage with hip-hop, jazz and punk-rock interpretations of traditional Celtic music, tribal rhythms, fiddle, percussion, electric harp, and video projections, create "one rhythmic spectacle after another." (Dance Expression, UK). In its 5-star review The Herald declared, "If hip-hop did tap, this would be it. TAPEIRE is pure beat box with feet."
Teaming up with a motley crew of mind-blowing musicians, including the versatile and genre-breaking fiddler, Duncan Wickel, award-winning composer and electric harpist Ailie Robertson, and multi-percussionist Paul Jennings, they join Devine at the crossroads-that is to say, where Celtic rhythms meet funk beats-in a fusion of sound that celebrates the past, present and future of Irish dance.
Exploring the history of Irish dance from a modern perspective, TAPEIRE travels from the early sean-nós culture, through Ireland's 17th-century "dancing masters" to 1980s compettitions and modern shows with a "freestyle" ending during which the artists see where their hands and feet take them in a fast paced and exhilarating jam session.
Irish tap, fiddle, drums and electric harp with a unique live video mix to leave audiences gasping.
Tapeire is tap dancing like you've rarely seen, "It's pure beat box with feet" (The Herald).
"Multi Platinum.... hugely talented.... phenomenal." (The Scotsman, UK)
Glad to hear New York went well. When is the show hitting the west coast?
I really lucked out with UL: I applied without knowing anything about the program, and it turned out to be a really good fit for me. An environment where you're encouraged to do anything and everything to Irish dance? Awesome.
Was great meeting you too, we'll have to do it again sometime. :) You missed a good one on Sun night though, started on the deoch at mid-day and i didn't get home til 6.30am...but had to get ready to leave at 8! Was very tired yesterday and still a bit dopey today, must be getting old! x
