Fermanagh dancers to perform alongside hundreds in open air extravaganza as Walled City Tattoo returns in August

Rehearsals are well under way for this year’s Walled City Tattoo which returns to Ebrington Square in Derry~Londonderry at the end of August and will see 550 local, national and international performers entertain up to 18,000 people in an open-air ampitheatre over 4 nights.

Amongst this year’s performers are five Highland dancers from Fermanagh who are joined by nearly 200 fellow dancers from throughout the North and South of Ireland to form the huge Walled City Tattoo dance troupe.

The 200 Tattoo dancers, who range in age from six to 28, have been recruited from the Highland, Irish and contemporary dance worlds and choreographers Georgina Kee McCarter, Brona Jackson and Bridgett Madden are working with them to create an unforgettable series of dance displays for the show.

The dancers make up only a small proportion of the 550-strong cast of performers who will participate in this summer’s Walled City Tattoo.

The Walled City Tattoo will combine the pomp, ceremony and grandeur of traditional Tattoo events with a special Derry~Londonderry twist and bring together an unforgettable cast of musicians, dancers and actors to entertain the 18,000 strong audience in a production that organisers promise will be even bigger and better than the 2013 inaugural show.

North West supergroup Sontas are back this year to provide the musical back drop to the show. Two of the city’s oldest bands, Britannia Concert Band and Hamilton Flute Band will share the stage with the Paris Fire Brigade Band who will show off their unique take on Tattoo entertainment, combining their precise marching skills with some more modern dance moves.

The ever-popular age old tradition of the Massed Pipes and Drums will comprise a spectacle of over 100 pipers and drummers from all over Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany. They will be joined this year by special guests from Malta, the Marsa Scouts Pipes and Drums.

Swiss comedy act Star Bugs will add that special comic element to the production with their unique mix of dance, acrobatics and slapstick. And topping off this fantastic roll call of acts is the world renowned Imps Motorcycle Display Team who will wow the crowds with their daring performance.

Speaking about her involvement in the show, Fermanagh dancer Rachel Watson commented:

“It is so exciting to be part of this year’s Walled City Tattoo. It is another huge production and we are going to be working hard over the next few months rehearsing for our performance. The audience are in for a real treat as we will be combining Irish, Highland and Modern dance to create something really special. I am a bit nervous about performing in front of so many people but I’m also beyond excited and I feel really privileged to be given this opportunity.”