A must-see Celtic dance show taking place at the Algonquin Theatre on Friday, March 14 will leave those who attend wanting more. The show also includes vocal, fiddle, guitar and saxophone performances.

The Celtic Fury Irish Dance Company is presenting Irish Fire: A Dancing Story of Love and Desire with two showing times: 2 and 8 p.m.

Tickets are $29 for adults and $24 for youth and seniors and are available at the theatre’s box office by calling 789-4975 or toll-free at 1-888-696-4255 ext. 2352.

The show will then make its way to the Gravenhurst Opera House on March 16 with performances at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $29 for adults and $24 for children and seniors and are available by calling the Opera House box office at 705-687-5550 ext. 21 or toll-free at 1-888-495-8888.

As the house lights dim and the music swells to prepare for the show, the audience will be certain of one thing: this will not be a typical dance performance. The 90-minute spectacle challenges all stereotypes associated with Irish dance.

Noted as being far from traditional, Irish Fire is a show that can easily be compared to contemporary hits such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.

The gentle grace of a soft shoe, the heart-pounding percussion of a hard shoe and the haunting vocal performances all come together in a perfect blend of theatrical beauty. The result is a stunning work of art that lives on forever in the memories of those who experience the show.

Irish Fire tells the universal story of love, hate, passion, agony and revenge. Catriona, a beautiful young woman, is courted by best friends Darragh and Aiden. Although they both make valiant efforts to win her love, Catriona follows her heart and chooses Aiden, ripping apart an age-old friendship. Darragh, devastated and confused, makes one last passionate plea to Catriona that she refuses. Desperate to know her love, Darragh kidnaps her in a vain attempt to change her mind. Upon discovering the disappearance of Catriona, Aiden sets forth on his quest to rescue the only woman whose love he desires. Who will win her love? Only those that have seen the show know.

Aside from an intriguing story, what also brings Irish Fire to life are the talented cast members.

Since age seven, Devin Cornell has devoted much of his life to the art of Irish dancing. His studies required commuting regularly to Toronto to receive the best possible instruction. He has also trained with both American and Irish teachers and spent many summers touring with professional Irish dance companies in the United States. At 17, Cornell founded the Cornell School of Irish Dance. A few years later, he created a professional Irish dance troupe named Celtic Fury. In Irish Fire, Cornell plays the role of the hero, Aiden.

Kyle Cornell was just six years old when he started his career as an Irish dancer in Windsor. By age eight, he was studying in Toronto and two years later he was competing at an international level. He was soon attending both North American championships and world championships on a regular basis. Recently, he has had a wonderful opportunity to study with some of the world's top teachers. Cornell dances the role of Darragh, the scorned lover.

A student of the Cornell School of Irish Dance since it first opened, Maureen Dillon is extremely skilled in Celtic dancing. She began studying Highland dance when she was seven years old and has since competed successfully throughout North America. Dillon shares the role of Catriona with Justine Brodie.

Brodies's long career in dance started when she was only four years old. She began her training in tap and ballet and earned the opportunity to audition for the National Ballet of Canada. She has been a student since the first day of class at the Cornell School of Irish Dance.

 The Celtic Fury Irish Dance Company was founded by Devin Cornell in January 2000 and has quickly become the foremost Irish dance company in Southwestern Ontario. Celtic Fury’s production of Irish Fire has left in its wake crowds of people in awe at the talented performers who make the show come alive. The show has been performed at numerous venues, including the Grand Theatre in London, the River Run Theatre in Guelph, the Brockville Arts Centre, the Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover, among countless others.