A TALENTED young Mayo dancer currently touring Ireland in a new Christmas musical alongside two former Riverdance stars, has been dubbed the 'next Billy Elliot' and tipped for global stardom.
Stephen Gallagher, 12, who has previously performed at the Mayo Manchester Tradfest, is taking to the stage six times over the festive period in Asa, A Christmas Story.
Gallagher, a three-time World Irish Dancing Champion, is in Mullingar for tonight’s world premiere, before the show heads to Dundalk and Navan in the coming days.
The young dancer of Attymass in North Mayo, plays the lead role of Asa in the musical, which co-stars former Riverdance stars, Breandán de Gallaí and Siobhan Manson.
Stephen GallagherOn starring in the brand new production, Stephen said: "Rehearsing for the show has been a wonderful and very exiting experience for me, to work with such a very talented cast and directors is a real privilege.
"It is such an honour to be working with such a world famous dancer and choreographer such as Breandán de Gallaí. This is certainly the best Christmas present I could have hoped for.
Stephen is a member of the Moffatt School of Irish Dancing, based in Crossmolina, and a member of the Atlantic Rhythm Production Company, which staged a number of shows in the summer as part of the Mayo Manchester Tradfest.
He was dubbed the “next Billy Elliot meets Michael Flatley” when he was handpicked for the role after a worldwide search involving hundreds of online auditions.
Tony Hennigan from Mayo Manchester praised the dancer’s talents and suggested he has the ability to perform on the world stage.
"It is great to see Stephen doing so well, we loved working with him and the rest of the performers...at the Mayo Manchester Tradfest,” he said. “We cannot wait to join forces with them again in 2016 for our summer Tradfest.
He reminds me a lot of the new Lord of the Dance James Keegan at the same age. James is currently playing to sell out crowds on Broadway in New York and I'm sure it will not be too long before we see Stephen's name on Broadway.
The show, which is set in 1916, has already featured on the Christmas edition of the Ray Darcy show on RTE 1.
Composed by US-based composer and Golden Globe nominee Brian Byrne and written by Kasey Jones, the story originally began as a story for the pair’s son Asa.
It has since been transformed into a musical with stunning animation and choreography.
Breandán de Gallaí, who replaced Michael Flately in Riverdance, plays Stephen's father in the musical, and has worked closely with the young star to choreograph his moves.
Other cast members include: Irish actor and TV Simon Delaney one the most highly regarded vocalists in Britain, Jacqui Dankworth, award-winning dancers Olivia Byrne and Anna Kearney, and the voices of the American Boy Choir from New Jersey.
For information on Asa, A Christmas Story dates and venues click here.
