McAleese gives seal of approval to slated Broadway show

President Mary McAleese has given her seal of approval to a new Broadway show from the producers of Riverdance, despite its slating by US theatre critics.

As part of her week-long American tour promoting links between the two countries, the President attended a showing of ’The Pirate Queen’ last night on New York’s Broadway.

While US critics slammed the show following its opening night, the President joined last night’s audience in giving the performance a standing ovation, before meeting backstage with cast and crew.

The brainchild of former Riverdance producers Moya Doherty and John McColgan, ’The Pirate Queen’ tells the story of Irish 16th century pirate chieftain Grace O’Malley.

The show combines a sweeping score with elements of modern Irish dance and song, capturing the epic story of O’Malley, her quest to protect her people and save her true love, which ultimately puts her on a collision course with her rival, England’s Queen Elizabeth I.

Following the international financial success of Riverdance, news that the former producers were teaming up with Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg of ’Les Miserables’ and ’Miss Saigon’ fame was greeted with much excitement among theatre professionals.

But following its opening night in Broadway at the beginning of April, the critics waded in, with the New York Times, USA today and others slamming elements of the epic show.

But despite the criticism, the President and her husband Martin said they were thrilled with the production, giving performers a standing ovation as they gathered on-stage, before meeting and congratulating both queens and producer Moya Doherty.

President McAleese will today continue her US trip and will attend a conference in St John’s University in Queens, New York.

She will be conferred with a honorary degree in Law and will address students on Ireland’s transformation from a country of mass emigration to one which immigrants of all nationalities now call home.