'SPIRIT OF THE DANCE': DIRECTOR BRINGS IRISH DANCE TO THE SHOW ME CENTER WEDNESDAY

A plot is one of the factors that differentiates "Spirit of the Dance" from "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance."

`Spirit of the Dance' is one of the most successful shows in British theater and has consistently smashed box office records across the United Kingdom. But to compare it to its more famous cousins, "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance," doesn't do it justice, says director/producer David King.

"Spirit of the Dance" is not just a copy of "Riverdance."

Patricia Murray stars as the Spirit, who's in search of her true love.

"She (Spirit) goes to America and to Spain and other countries searching for her true love and experiences the styles of dance in each country," King said in a recent telephone interview from Reno, Nev., where "Spirit of the Dance" has been extended for another 10 months.

"Spirit of the Dance" will be presented at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Show Me Center.

"The show is not just about Irish dance. It's got ballet, jazz and some tap dancing in it. That's what makes it so `user friendly' to the audience," King said.

The show has so many different styles of dance because two hours of Irish dance is too powerful, King said.

In "Spirit of the Dance," the dancers perform all of the dance styles themselves in contrast to "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance," in which the dancers do only the Irish dance numbers and other dancers step in to entertain with other styles.

"We've got world Irish dance champions who are also incredible tap dancers and great jazz dancers," said King. "Their talent puts our troupe on a greater level because of their versatility."

Fifty percent of the cast is from Ireland and the other half is from England. No Americans perform in either the group in Europe or the touring groups in America.

"All of the dancers have been doing this since they were children. Many have been dancing over 20 years," King said.

"It's not something you can get into in six months. You have to go to theatrical training schools. You can't learn this going to one afternoon class a week."

All his dancers have gone through a dance college.

Each company has 30 people. Currently, "Spirit of the Dance" has two touring casts in American and soon will add a group in Australia.

And what about the recent performances of "Riverdance" in St. Louis and "Lord of the Dance" in Carbondale?

"I'm thrilled that "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance" are playing in the same geographical area because that brings more people out," King said. "Most people go to see all of the shows because they love Irish dance and they'll make up their minds on which they prefer. But the more the other two shows are around the more fun it is for us."

King thinks audiences in Southeast Missouri will enjoy "Spirit of the Dance" as much if not more than those in Europe.

"I think it's the style, the power and the precision of Irish dance that makes it so popular," he said.

"... To see 30 to 50 people on stage, it's almost like watching soldiers march to funky rock n' roll music. It's a thrill to watch and it's exciting, and that's what has caught the imagination of the public."