0:00:02 > 0:00:06This programme contains some strong language.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08MUSIC: "Riverdance"
0:00:14 > 0:00:19This year marks the 20th anniversary of Riverdance's seminal Eurovision
0:00:19 > 0:00:22performance which thrilled and inspired a worldwide audience.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24APPLAUSE
0:00:27 > 0:00:31The dance form has since proved immensely popular
0:00:31 > 0:00:34and is now practised by people of all ages, ethnicities
0:00:34 > 0:00:36and backgrounds.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Ronan McCormack is one of the world's leading choreographers
0:00:46 > 0:00:49and dress designers within the field of Irish dancing
0:00:49 > 0:00:52and kick-started his illustrious career as part of the original
0:00:52 > 0:00:53Riverdance line-up.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Since then, his dance career has brought him all over the world,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01teaching masterclasses and adjudicating at feises.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04And he now lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Two decades on, the Riverdance experience remains
0:01:09 > 0:01:12close to his heart.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15When the show was developed into a full-scale show, we actually
0:01:15 > 0:01:19did a routine that had six guys dancing with Michael Flatley.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21It was an a cappella routine
0:01:21 > 0:01:23and we actually did it for the first time
0:01:23 > 0:01:26on The Late Late Show to promote the ticket sales for Riverdance
0:01:26 > 0:01:28and it really captured the public's imagination.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30It was powerful, it was strong.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Six men dancing together to harsh, percussive beats.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35So that was always something that's always sort of stuck with me,
0:01:35 > 0:01:37you know, that that routine was a strong routine
0:01:37 > 0:01:40and people warmed to it and really got on board with it.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44So for the past 20 years, Ronan has contemplated putting together
0:01:44 > 0:01:48a group of Irish dancers to create an all-male production.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Last year he was approached by the organisers of Las Vegas Pride
0:01:52 > 0:01:53to do just that -
0:01:53 > 0:01:56assemble an all-male troupe of dancers to perform
0:01:56 > 0:02:00a three-minute piece in the entertainment capital of the world.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03The great thing about what we do is it can be quite random
0:02:03 > 0:02:05and spontaneous.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08I woke up one morning with a text from Ronan asking
0:02:08 > 0:02:10was I free for a week in September.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15And that was all the details I got. I was like "OK, yes, I'm free.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18"Give me a shout when you've any more details."
0:02:18 > 0:02:24An hour later, I got an e-mail with the title going, "Las Vegas gig."
0:02:24 > 0:02:28And I was like, "OK, brilliant! I'll jump on that!"
0:02:43 > 0:02:46The group of dancers Ronan has assembled come from both
0:02:46 > 0:02:47sides of the Atlantic.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50But only three of the guys, those hailing from Ireland,
0:02:50 > 0:02:52have actually met before.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- God, the heat would knock you out, wouldn't it?- I'm telling you.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03I arrived at the airport and what was kind of wacky, I got off the
0:03:03 > 0:03:07plane and realised, I really didn't know what anybody looked like.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14Literally Ronan was the only person I knew when I got here.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16So it was a little bit daunting, because I think some
0:03:16 > 0:03:18of the other guys have actually worked together before.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Right, thank you.
0:03:22 > 0:03:23You know, when we arrived here,
0:03:23 > 0:03:25some of the lads had never been to Vegas before.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28So it was kind of a great buzz to finally get to meet each other
0:03:28 > 0:03:31and then we took a drive down the Las Vegas strip.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33And it's a magical spot.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Las Vegas!
0:03:55 > 0:03:59It was great to see the guys, you know, really take that in, you know.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04Because it really is like part freak show/Wonder of the World, you know.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06It's like, it's both.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- We're definitely in the capital of the world...- Hi.- How are you?- Good!
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- Did you just get married?- Yes. - This is my new wife, yes.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- Did you actually just get married? - Yes.- Where did you get married?
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- Well, at the Excalibur. - Yeah, at the castle.- Very good!
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- Is it going to last? - Two years, maybe.- No.- Yeah?
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- You'll get two years out of it?!- It depends how many Bud Light I drink.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Classy, I love it!
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Next thing you know, Cal is accosted by a newlywed, a bride.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Now, I don't know that it was the most appropriate thing
0:04:34 > 0:04:37that she had her first dance with one of our troupe,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40but she seemed to enjoy the good ceilidh swing!
0:04:40 > 0:04:42CHEERING
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- Oh, my God, thank you! - You're welcome!
0:04:51 > 0:04:53It's a strange town!
0:04:53 > 0:04:56You don't really get that kind of thing in Ireland!
0:05:05 > 0:05:09After taking in the sights on the strip, the group make
0:05:09 > 0:05:13their way to the villa they will call home for the next few days.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20"Remove your shoe!" What about the other one?!
0:05:21 > 0:05:25I think Ireland before Riverdance was a very insular place.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27There was a lot of people left the country.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30There weren't always so many influences coming in.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33And dance was something that was perceived as effeminate.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35And therefore if it was effeminate, the stereotype was,
0:05:35 > 0:05:38well, then anybody who does that must be gay.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41You know, it was only in 1993, a year before Riverdance,
0:05:41 > 0:05:43that homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47So it was tough for guys, as Irish dancers, growing up pre-Riverdance.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53As the lads settle in, Ronan also takes the opportunity
0:05:53 > 0:05:57to divulge the troupe's name, Men In Kilts -
0:05:57 > 0:06:00giving them a fair idea of what their costume will entail!
0:06:00 > 0:06:02And no wardrobe malfunctions.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04No men out of kilts.
0:06:04 > 0:06:05HE GASPS
0:06:05 > 0:06:06With an all-male cast,
0:06:06 > 0:06:08it is giving off an impression of strength,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11of power, of athleticism.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13So, with all those elements together,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16it's a perfect recipe for a good show.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19It's quite a lot of work to do to get a routine put together
0:06:19 > 0:06:22and get it polished so that it's performed to perfection.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24So, I want you to enjoy the week,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27but I also want you to look after yourselves.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29And Las Vegas is famous for hospitality.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32We will have plenty of time after the gig on Saturday
0:06:32 > 0:06:34to enjoy the hospitality of Las Vegas.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39But just maybe don't go too sinful in Sin City between now and then.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Just so, you know, the legs can still move.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Well, here we are - your home for the next couple of days.
0:07:04 > 0:07:05We're all ready to dance.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13Welcome in.
0:07:15 > 0:07:16Well, jeez, this is a grand wee spot.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20So, right, shoes on, ready to go.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24The first they get into the studio, you know,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27some of the lads have been travelling for 16 hours the day before.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30So they were a little bit sort of groggy arriving at the studio.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32I thought, "Well, no time like the present.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34"Play the piece of music."
0:07:34 > 0:07:35Come over.
0:07:35 > 0:07:36Have a listen.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41MUSIC: "Only Love Survives" by Ryan Dolan
0:07:41 > 0:07:44# All our lives
0:07:44 > 0:07:47# We've been afraid... #
0:07:47 > 0:07:50I love that song. I was so excited when he showed it to us!
0:07:50 > 0:07:52I knew that it was perfect for the event
0:07:52 > 0:07:54that we were performing at straightaway,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56because it's one of those really good pop songs
0:07:56 > 0:07:58that just gets everybody going
0:07:58 > 0:08:00regardless if you've heard it before or not.
0:08:01 > 0:08:02So, guys, that's it.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05That's what you're going to be dancing to on Saturday.
0:08:05 > 0:08:10I wanted to pick something that had some relevance to what we were doing.
0:08:10 > 0:08:11- You do know what it is.- Yeah.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- Do you guys know what it is? - No, never heard it.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15OK, I didn't figure you would -
0:08:15 > 0:08:18it's an Irish guy from the North of Ireland, his name is Ryan Dolan,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20but it's the song that represented Ireland
0:08:20 > 0:08:21in the Eurovision Song Contest.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- How'd it do?- Um...OK. LAUGHTER
0:08:24 > 0:08:25It got last.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Um, but that was a travesty.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33So hopefully, you know, it'll get them going and us going.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34So, ready to dance?
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- Yeah.- Let's do it! - Let's go.- Let's do it.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40OK, right, guys...
0:08:40 > 0:08:42I'm actually going to start in the middle of the routine.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44So I just want to sort of arrange height-wise.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46So I think I'm going to match Peter and Danny up,
0:08:46 > 0:08:49so, Peter, if you just want to come to the end.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50Um...
0:08:50 > 0:08:54'So, within the group of lads that I chose, we have someone like Russel.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57'He is a performance artist in his own right - he is an acrobat
0:08:57 > 0:09:00'and an Irish step dancer, so I was really excited to work with him,'
0:09:00 > 0:09:04because I felt he had multi-skills that might benefit the performance.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Somebody like Peter, who has show experience, is still competing,
0:09:08 > 0:09:10so that's kind of the other end of the scale,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13so each of the lads, I felt, would bring something together.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15That's a bonus when it all gels.
0:09:15 > 0:09:16That's the worry, though -
0:09:16 > 0:09:19that because they have different experiences,
0:09:19 > 0:09:20that they may not gel together.
0:09:20 > 0:09:21Hop, two, three...
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Step, turn, and one, two.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Ronan's choreography...
0:09:27 > 0:09:31It does tend to be a little bit crazy.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Like, it can be difficult to pick up sometimes.
0:09:34 > 0:09:35Hop, two, three, push.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Turn, one, two, one, two, three and double hop.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39One, two, one, two, three in front,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42one, two, turn and click. Click, down.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Lift! Hop, back, two, three, change step, skip.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46Hop, two, three, push.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Turn, one, two, one, two, three.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Hold and one, two, floor, back.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52OK?
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Phew, I'm knackered already. Jeez.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56We've been dancing for a couple of hours, now.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57I hope you can tell from the sweat.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59We have about 20 seconds done,
0:09:59 > 0:10:01which is, like, a ninth of what we need to do.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03So we're nowhere near out of the woods yet.
0:10:03 > 0:10:04But it's going well,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07so I'm quite confident that over the rest of the day,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09and then obviously with tomorrow to finish and polish it off,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12it should be good for Saturday... hopefully.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27So, here we are in lovely, sunny... Well, not sunny today.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30It's actually the first day of rain in 300 days.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33And we were planning to have a barbecue!
0:10:33 > 0:10:35So, that will be a bit damp.
0:10:35 > 0:10:36So, hopefully the rain will pass,
0:10:36 > 0:10:38and we will actually be able to eat the food.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45And here we are - home sweet home.
0:10:45 > 0:10:46- It's not, is it? - This isn't our place.
0:10:46 > 0:10:484838. Oh, no...
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- No, it's 28. - OK, I'd better put it in reverse...
0:10:51 > 0:10:53LAUGHTER
0:10:53 > 0:10:57OK, lads, any twisted firestarters out here? Can you get that organised?
0:10:59 > 0:11:00Smells good already.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Peter and Danny take charge of the barbecue,
0:11:06 > 0:11:08during which time they discuss common ground.
0:11:10 > 0:11:11So how did you get into dance?
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- You're originally from London, yeah? - Mm-hm.
0:11:14 > 0:11:15It was actually Riverdance.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19I thought it was pretty cool, so then I started teaching myself.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Really? Cool. How did you do that?
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Just watching the video over and over again.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29That's great. There's not many people that get straight onto a show
0:11:29 > 0:11:31after being self-taught so late in life.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Like, cos I started dancing when I was just turned four.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37And how old were you when you, like, came out?
0:11:37 > 0:11:40It was never a specific time.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41You know, I was just like, "This is it."
0:11:41 > 0:11:44I think it was just sort of...
0:11:44 > 0:11:46- Just happened. - Yeah, it just happened.
0:11:46 > 0:11:47It was pretty gradual.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49And what about when you came out?
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Like, were you out at school, or was it when you went on tour, or...?
0:11:52 > 0:11:55I didn't come out to family until I was like...
0:11:55 > 0:11:5620.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- Oh.- Like, just before I left home. - Right.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- So...- And were they, like, shocked and appalled or...?
0:12:05 > 0:12:07I think any parent would be.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09But, yeah, they're grand.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Ah, that's pretty good! Well done.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18All those balmy summer days in Donegal.
0:12:18 > 0:12:19LAUGHTER
0:12:19 > 0:12:21When the sun's splitting the stones.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Would you like us to have our solo pieces ready for tomorrow,
0:12:24 > 0:12:25or do you think we need...?
0:12:25 > 0:12:27I'd like you to listen to the music
0:12:27 > 0:12:29and have some idea of what it is you're going to do,
0:12:29 > 0:12:31but I think everybody kind of has their little trick
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- that they do when they have to...- Party piece.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Their little party piece.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38So, at least if you've thought about it, that'll help.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40OK, lads.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41One day down.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Here's to a successful performance on Saturday.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- Great.- Cheers!
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Next morning, and it's straight back into the studio
0:12:54 > 0:12:56for another gruelling dance session.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01OK, lads, second day. You did really well yesterday.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04We're actually going to continue from where we left off yesterday,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06go to the end and go back to the beginning,
0:13:06 > 0:13:07set an opening position
0:13:07 > 0:13:10and structure who's going to do what solo next.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- OK, ready to go?- Yes.- OK.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13# And even if the sun... #
0:13:13 > 0:13:14Danny goes.
0:13:17 > 0:13:18And Russel goes.
0:13:19 > 0:13:20Ready?
0:13:20 > 0:13:22I really love Ronan's idea for the show,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25and I think his choreography's amazing.
0:13:25 > 0:13:31So, my dance background - I've done ballet, modern, jazz, tap, voguing.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34So, I've kind of experimented with a little bit of everything,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37but Irish is definitely my strongest dance form.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40But compared to these guys - I mean, this is all they've done,
0:13:40 > 0:13:42so they can kind of kick my butt.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Five, six, seven, eight.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46HE HUMS THE TUNE
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Two, three and up, click, back.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Out, in, Christmas, two, three, four, five, six.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Spreading out, two, three, jump.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56And triple hop.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Back, two, three, step, click down.
0:13:59 > 0:14:00OK.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03So, the routine is slightly different to standard Irish dancing.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05It's not as static or as rigid
0:14:05 > 0:14:07as competitive Irish dancing. So, between now and Saturday
0:14:07 > 0:14:10we're going to have to put an awful lot of work in
0:14:10 > 0:14:12and rehearse an awful lot to make sure the routine is really tight.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14We've only got two or three days
0:14:14 > 0:14:15to get a routine together
0:14:15 > 0:14:16and get it nailed,
0:14:16 > 0:14:18get it nailed and put the work in,
0:14:18 > 0:14:19and hopefully it'll pay off.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22# All our lives
0:14:22 > 0:14:26# We've been afraid
0:14:26 > 0:14:29# Watching the world decline
0:14:29 > 0:14:32# Till nothing remains
0:14:32 > 0:14:36# But in our darkest hour... #
0:14:36 > 0:14:37From an audience perspective,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40what's probably the most exciting thing about Irish dancing
0:14:40 > 0:14:43is probably what is the most nightmarish thing for the dancers.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Irish dancing is fast, it's furious.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47We're making the fast rhythms, we're moving the feet,
0:14:47 > 0:14:49moving the bodies, trying to get around the floor -
0:14:49 > 0:14:51there's so much going on and it's so intense.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53It's not like other dance forms where we can sustain this
0:14:53 > 0:14:56for 15 minutes without a break. It's just not physically possible.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59But it's three minutes - we can survive.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01One, two, three, four, five, six. Hold, in.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Back, kick, toe, boom.
0:15:06 > 0:15:07Well done, lads.
0:15:07 > 0:15:08Men In Kilts.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09Men In Kilts!
0:15:09 > 0:15:11ALL CHEER
0:15:11 > 0:15:13That was SO butch.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17# The brightest lights
0:15:17 > 0:15:20# Cast the darkest shadows
0:15:20 > 0:15:24# And that's where I'll be found
0:15:24 > 0:15:30# For what's hiding by the morning
0:15:30 > 0:15:34# Will be chased by daylight hounds. #
0:15:35 > 0:15:38After two tough days of rehearsals,
0:15:38 > 0:15:42the lads get a chance to unwind at the local Irish bar.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45But dancing remains the hot topic of conversation.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47You know, like, Riverdance came out and I was like,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50"Oh, that's nice," but I didn't really... I wasn't into it.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52That's the first time I've ever heard anybody say
0:15:52 > 0:15:54they didn't like Riverdance.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Oh! Oh, really?
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Riverdance is like the motivating factor
0:15:58 > 0:16:00for people to actually go into Irish dancing.
0:16:00 > 0:16:01It was like the main thing.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04For me, what I loved about Irish dance was my family went to
0:16:04 > 0:16:07these ceilis and did all this every weekend in Cleveland, Ohio,
0:16:07 > 0:16:08but then my family split.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10So it was kind of like, for me, it was like a healing,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12and my dad died when I was young.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14And he was the one - he would play the tin whistle for us
0:16:14 > 0:16:16every morning and wake us up.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18I mean, it was like - I mean, you guys will think I'm cheesy,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20but, I mean, it was really nice.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22It's what everybody does.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Meanwhile, word has spread that there are Irish dancers in town,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29and it's not long before they're asked to show some moves.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31I want to see it!
0:16:31 > 0:16:32Hey, we're going to get Irish dancing!
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Even after a few drinks we're still all able to stumble up to the bar
0:16:36 > 0:16:38and do a bit of a step.
0:16:38 > 0:16:39Whoo!
0:16:43 > 0:16:46We got up on the bar, which I don't think was very well made
0:16:46 > 0:16:49for a company of seven dancers, you know.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52I could feel the whole thing, you know, go...
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Whoo!
0:16:54 > 0:16:55I got you, I got you.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- EOIN:- So, it was an interesting experience.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00It's something I wouldn't have done at home myself before,
0:17:00 > 0:17:02but it's great to try it out in a new city, anyway.
0:17:02 > 0:17:03New city, new things.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19Day three, and it's back to business at the studio.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24- RUSSEL:- The day after we went to the bar was our last day of rehearsals.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27You know, it was very much, like, very serious, back to work.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Because this was going to be our last chance
0:17:29 > 0:17:31to really, actually get this down.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34I mean, there was no more, "Oh, we'll work on that tomorrow."
0:17:38 > 0:17:42The group have also agreed to do a few steps at tonight's pride parade,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45adding to their already intense workload.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49I think everybody was definitely tired,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52and the pressure was really starting to build up.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Hopefully it's not a case that the Irish have brought everything
0:18:01 > 0:18:04with them to Vegas, because, you know, it never rains here.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07It's already rained for the first time in 300 days, this week,
0:18:07 > 0:18:09and now it's clouding over,
0:18:09 > 0:18:11the thunder is pealing, the lightning is flashing.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15If there's a downpour for the parade, that could be a bit of a washout.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17You know? Riverdance take two.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Yeah, that's manic, the end of that.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37I mean, it looks exciting when we get it, but if we don't get it,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39sweet heart of God, there could be injuries.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43THUNDER ROLLS
0:18:45 > 0:18:48And as the thunder rolls across the Nevada Desert,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Eoin is feeling the burn.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53It's been really tough, now.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55My legs are in a heap at this stage.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Just with the concrete floor to practise on,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00it's just quite tough on the legs.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Like, dancers are in constant pain as it is, but this is just...
0:19:03 > 0:19:05It's intense, so...
0:19:05 > 0:19:09It's tough, but, like, going to have to get through it.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Back at the house and the lads are trying to catch their breath
0:19:12 > 0:19:14before tonight's parade.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17But Ronan is worried about tomorrow's outdoor venue,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19and feels they should record a tap track.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Having to dance on concrete in that big, open air arena
0:19:23 > 0:19:25with the music pumping out -
0:19:25 > 0:19:27it was going to totally overshadow any sound
0:19:27 > 0:19:30we could possibly make with our feet, so that's why we felt, you know,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33other shows have done this before, let's put a little track down,
0:19:33 > 0:19:35doesn't have to be too loud in the mix,
0:19:35 > 0:19:37but at least it'll carry some of the sound of what we're doing
0:19:37 > 0:19:40out to the crowd, and hopefully let them connect better
0:19:40 > 0:19:41with what it is we're doing.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43OK, guys, can you get the hard shoes organised?
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- Um... RUSSEL:- I'm not dancing, right? So...
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Well, let's see how many we can fit on the boards downstairs.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51We need at least four, cos we need to have a group sound.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54So just bring the hard shoes and we'll see what we can do.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00As Danny and Cal go through their steps,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03the stress begins to take its toll on Ronan.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06SHOUTS: Lads, whoever's doing the fucking solo, get down here now!
0:20:06 > 0:20:09I don't care if your hair is done!
0:20:09 > 0:20:10Thank you.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14There's no point doing it if we're not doing it right.
0:20:14 > 0:20:15- Right.- You know.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24A mixture of jet lag and exhaustion
0:20:24 > 0:20:27means the group are struggling to perfect their footwork,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29and stresses are running high.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- OK, we could do this 50 times, is it worth it?- What?- Is it worth it?
0:20:33 > 0:20:34We could do this 50 times.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37My head's frazzled, I know I'm not going to get it right.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38I just know I'm not.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40I am SO stressed right now.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44I'm not going to be able to do this. My head is a complete blank.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48So here's the thing - we decide one of two things.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50We skip the parade, we take a little break, everybody gets to relax
0:20:50 > 0:20:52and we do this and we do it right, and that way
0:20:52 > 0:20:55we will do a performance that's going to make an effect tomorrow.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Or we go out there and look like a pack of eejits.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59I think the performance would lose the effect
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- if you can't hear anything. - Absolutely.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Right, I... OK. Let's cut the parade.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06That's it. OK, decision made.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12Upon reflection, however, Men In Kilts decide the show must go on,
0:21:12 > 0:21:16and they make the decision to hit Las Vegas Pride Parade after all.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18And it makes for a colourful scene.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Yes, honey! Hello, everybody!
0:21:22 > 0:21:26- Happy gay pride! - Yes, happy pride from Q Central.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27Yes, from Q Central.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Q Central. This is where white people and Mexicans get along.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- Well, I'm not Mexican, girl. - What are you?
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- I'm South American.- South American. - I'm from Chile!- It's the same thing.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- It's the same thing! - It's not the same, my dear!
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- DANNY:- Honestly I was a little bit uncomfortable
0:21:42 > 0:21:44with the idea of the parade at first, cos...
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Like, it wouldn't really be my scene.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49But once we got started, it actually wasn't too bad.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Like, the crowd loved it.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52# Don't stop, make it pop
0:21:52 > 0:21:54# DJ, blow my speakers up
0:21:54 > 0:21:56# Tonight I'ma fight
0:21:56 > 0:21:58# Till we see the sunlight
0:21:58 > 0:21:59# Tick-tock on the clock... #
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Once we got moving we just kept doing dance after dance,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05and there was no pessimism about it, like, "Ugh, I'm tired."
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Everyone just wanted to give it all we got.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12# Tonight I'ma fight
0:22:12 > 0:22:14# Till we see the sunlight
0:22:14 > 0:22:15# Tick-tock on the clock... #
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Like, seriously, we are doing the most basic steps
0:22:17 > 0:22:20and this crowd is going crazy for us.
0:22:20 > 0:22:21It is amazing, it's such craic.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- ONLOOKER:- There's nothing like a hot boy in a skirt!
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Oh, God, there's nothing like a hot Irish guy in a skirt.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29# Ain't got no money in my pocket but I'm already here... #
0:22:29 > 0:22:31It was surprising how into it the crowd were.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34I mean, obviously wearing a kilt,
0:22:34 > 0:22:38you had a lot of people wanting you to show your goods.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40# Bring the action... #
0:22:49 > 0:22:51We've calmed down, everybody's beginning to enjoy themselves,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54we're getting into the atmosphere of the festival,
0:22:54 > 0:22:56and we're having a lot of fun. I think it's what we needed -
0:22:56 > 0:22:59everybody needed to just cool down after this afternoon.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05In spite of the pain from dancing for two miles on concrete,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07the boys are the toast of the town.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10But while most of Las Vegas is beginning an evening of hedonism,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Ronan and his troupe are forced to return home
0:23:13 > 0:23:15to finish work on the troublesome tap track.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25I was actually a little bit worried
0:23:25 > 0:23:28that I wouldn't be able to do it, because my feet were throbbing.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33We definitely picked it all up,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36and we were doing a recorded track within 15 minutes,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39whereas before we went to the parade,
0:23:39 > 0:23:41we hadn't gotten through the first ten seconds of the track.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43That's a wrap! Thank you.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Oh, thank God!
0:23:45 > 0:23:49While most of the group were still post-parade elation,
0:23:49 > 0:23:5121-year-old Eoin is in extreme pain,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55and concerned about his ability to perform the next day.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56Just from dancing on concrete -
0:23:56 > 0:24:02Irish dance is such high impact, like, dancing on the street is...
0:24:02 > 0:24:04is tough.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06It's just taking its toll.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17The big day arrives,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20and Eoin is still in a worrying amount of pain.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25The next day I woke up and I just felt like I'd been hit by a truck.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28And I was kind of concerned that I wouldn't actually be able to
0:24:28 > 0:24:31go up and perform the routine at all.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Backstage, Eoin is braving the pain,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37while the others make last-minute preparations
0:24:37 > 0:24:39before the big performance.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44You know, the lads seem really buzzed about today's performance.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46They're giving me energy, which is a good thing.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Hopefully, together, we're going to go out there and blow them all away.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Did I just say that about a gay fucking pride festival?!
0:24:55 > 0:24:57So, we have seven minutes to show time.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58- Ooh!- Seven minutes to show time.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Thank you. OK, guys, let's get organised.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02- Yep.- Is everybody ready?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06- OK, good one. Let's go.- You guys were awesome in the parade last night.
0:25:06 > 0:25:07ALL: Thank you!
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Any time you go on stage, there's that anticipation.
0:25:13 > 0:25:14You want to do a good job,
0:25:14 > 0:25:16but you don't really know how it's going to go.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18When you're under the pressure we were under
0:25:18 > 0:25:21with three days to rehearse, you know, it's in the lap of the gods.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24And you go out there, you take a deep breath,
0:25:24 > 0:25:25the track starts...
0:25:25 > 0:25:27and off you go.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29APPLAUSE
0:25:29 > 0:25:32# All our lives
0:25:32 > 0:25:34# We've been afraid
0:25:34 > 0:25:39# Watching the world decline
0:25:39 > 0:25:43# Till nothing remains
0:25:43 > 0:25:51# We're gonna live like it's our last night alive
0:25:51 > 0:25:58# And we're dancing till the morning light
0:25:58 > 0:26:06# And even if the sun don't rise
0:26:06 > 0:26:14# In the end only love survives
0:26:14 > 0:26:18# So be love
0:26:18 > 0:26:22# Be love
0:26:22 > 0:26:24- # Just be love - Just be love
0:26:24 > 0:26:26- # Only love - Only love
0:26:26 > 0:26:28- # We are love - We are love
0:26:28 > 0:26:29- # Only love - Only love
0:26:29 > 0:26:33# And when the stars are aligned
0:26:33 > 0:26:37# You got to make love your state of mind
0:26:37 > 0:26:43# Cos in the end only love survives
0:26:44 > 0:26:47- # So be love - Be love
0:26:47 > 0:26:48# Only love, love, love
0:26:48 > 0:26:50- # Be love - Be love
0:26:50 > 0:26:52# Only love, love, love
0:26:52 > 0:26:58# Cos in the end only love survives. #
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the Men In Kilts!
0:27:02 > 0:27:04I don't know about you,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07but I really like it when guys are in small little skirts.
0:27:07 > 0:27:08Where are you going?
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Opportunities like this, where you can come together
0:27:15 > 0:27:16and really just create on the fly,
0:27:16 > 0:27:18I mean, this is usually where magic happens,
0:27:18 > 0:27:19you know, or CAN happen.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21It doesn't always, but it's nice when it does.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24It was just a great experience overall, I really enjoyed it.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26When I get a reaction like that, it reassures me
0:27:26 > 0:27:29that this is indeed what I love doing.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31It's given me an opportunity to travel the world,
0:27:31 > 0:27:33to see places I would never get to see otherwise.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36So, it's been an amazing experience. Yeah.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Like, those three days of rehearsals,
0:27:38 > 0:27:40even though they were really tough,
0:27:40 > 0:27:44it paid off, and the crowd loved it.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47There were times during the last few days where I thought,
0:27:47 > 0:27:52"Let this be over." The pressure was so, so intense.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56But doing that performance on Saturday, it was worthwhile.
0:27:56 > 0:27:57I'd do it again in an instant.