Danceperados of Ireland

The name of this dance show symbolizes the enthusiasm for Irish step dancing. Loosely translated from English, it means "The Dance Maniacs". Yes, the Irish can't stop dancing, singing and playing. It's in their blood.

Fishing is part of the Irish DNA, as are traditional music, dance and song. Since time immemorial, they have been inextricably linked to life in the country. They are passed down from generation to generation. An old saying goes: "If you want to get to the source, you have to swim against the current." This does not only apply to the salmon, which swims upstream from the great wide sea to the place where it was born. All musicians and dancers who want to be authentic also strive to get as close as possible to the origins of Irish tradition.

The Danceperados of Ireland have recognized this fascinating symbiosis and have a big fish on their hook. Their new show is called "Hooked". It brings together the fascination of fishing, dancing, music and singing. "Hooked" is a tribute to the maritime communities and their customs and traditions, which are so wonderfully different from those of the big cities. The songs and stories revolve around and about the sea. They take us back to a time when people were still self-sufficient and led a simple and self-determined life. But also a dangerous one! The sea has given, but has often also taken. When a fisherman sets out in his cutter, life and death are always on board. A multivision with historical and current images and videos combines with music and tap dancing to create a total work of art.

"Hooked" is more than an ode to the sea and rivers of the Emerald Isle, to the wild and impetuous nature. Will this be preserved for future generations given the speed and aggressiveness of the current overexploitation? Danceperados of Ireland bring the unequal battle of David against Goliath to the world stage. Small coastal fishermen are increasingly threatened by the huge fish factories that plunder the seas on an industrial scale. The price for joining the EU in 1972 was the surrender of 60% of their catch quota. The naive Irish government was badly ripped off. EU subsidies expired after a few years and Ireland is now even a net contributor. But year after year the other nations in Irish waters take billions of fish out of the sea, which the old subsidies have long since made up for. Irish fishermen have currently lost a further 40% of their fishing areas due to Brexit. Jobs in maritime communities are rapidly being lost and people are moving out of the country. People on the coast are literally up to their necks in water. Wild salmon are being overfished and gigantic salmon farms, which are polluting entire bays, are robbing them of their last remaining habitats.

This shows the big difference between the Danceperados of Ireland and other tap dance shows that simply idealize the perfect world. Another difference: Danceperados dance and play live! Many of the competitors feed the audience with half or even full playback.

Anyone who has seen “Hooked” will not only go home well entertained, but also with a lot of knowledge about Ireland of yesterday and today. Also with a lot of energy that it is worth fighting for what we love.

In 2014, the Danceperados took the lead in a movement that wanted to free Irish step dancing from the clutches of the big producers and bring it back to its roots, making it more human, freer and more human. The media and fans were electrified by the power and competence of this new and honest concept. With standing ovations, they celebrated an ensemble that had succeeded in reconciling show and culture.