Irish folk dance performed for children for the first time in Beijing

Beijing young audiences are currently accessible to an Irish dance performance specially made for their age. With music from British nouveau-folk artists, this foot-stomping, hand-tapping show reinvents folk dance in a fresh and innovative way.

The two performers twist and turn, play and fight, drum and dance as the modern retelling unfolds. Washed up on a magical wasteland, the characters find their feet through made-up games and folk-filled fun, through traditional Irish folk dancing.

“Into the Water”

Nine years ago, Suzanne Cleary and Peter Harding left the world’s biggest Irish dancing production, Riverdance, “to do something different with Irish dancing.”

Since then they have presented works at dance festivals and theaters around the world and have enjoyed great success with their online dance videos amassing over 11 million views on YouTube.

“Into the Water”

Finally, they came up with the idea of making a show especially for children. And that how the groundbreaking "Into the Water" emerged. To cater to the young audience, the plot is delicately designed, and hand tapping is added to the feet stomping.

The Irish dance performance for children runs through April 22 at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center.

(CGTN)