Riverdance action begins in High Court

A fashion designer who created the costumes for 'Riverdance the Show' has claimed before the High Court that he has been "airbrushed out of the history" of the world famous dance and musical sensation.

Designer Jen Kelly (agd 49) of North Great Georges Street, Dublin 1 has brought an action against Abhann Productions and Tyrone Productions, Mary Street Little, Dublin 7, for breach of contract. Abhann Productions is the company set up by husband and wife team John McColgan and Moya Doherty to control Riverdance.

In High Court proceedings Mr Kelly who is seeking more than €800,000 in damages, claims that he has not been given proper credit for his work and that his designs have been used and altered without his consent.

Mr Kelly alleges that the defendants are in breach of an agreement of November 1999 where they undertook not to use his costume designs in connection with any live performance of Riverdance the Show after December 31, 2001.

The defendants deny the claims. The case, which commenced before Mr Justice John MacMenamin today, is expected to run in the High Court for two weeks.