Riverdance court row is settled in jig time
Designer halts his legal fight against producers
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Wednesday November 11 2009
IT WAS a row that shook the costume design world, just as 'Riverdance' shook the world of Irish dancing 15 years ago.
But yesterday a leading designer dramatically withdrew his legal claim against the 'Riverdance' producers after a compromise was reached.
Jen Kelly, famed for his presidential designs and friendship with Celia Larkin, claimed he had been "airbrushed out of history" by the world famous dance and music sensation.
The dispute went all the way to the High Court as Mr Kelly (49) claimed his costume designs were being used without his consent in 'Riverdance' shows.
Mr Kelly sought €820,000 damages, alleging he had not been given proper credit for his work and his designs were used and altered without his consent.
Copies
But the founder of a North Great George's Street fashion house yesterday decided to accept that producers did not use costumes he had designed, nor copies of them, in live performances of 'Riverdance' after December 31, 2001.
It was unclear last night whether money had changed hands ahead of the settlement.
Afterwards Mr Kelly said he was "delighted that I can get back to what I do best, designing clothes".
Mr Kelly had sued Abhann Productions and Tyrone Productions, Mary Street Little, Dublin, alleging breach of contract.
Abhann is the company set up by husband and wife team John McColgan and Moya Doherty to control 'Riverdance'.
He claimed the defendants breached a November 1999 agreement not to use his costume designs in 'Riverdance the Show' after December 31, 2001.
It was in 1999 that Mr Kelly was informed that another designer, Joan Bergin, would be used for the costumes in a new show on Broadway.
The defendants had denied the claims.
And yesterday, on the third day of the hearing, Mr Justice John MacMenamin was told that there had been a compromise in the proceedings.
Anthony Collins, for Mr Kelly, told the judge that his client wished to withdraw the case.
The judge struck out the action which had been estimated to run for two weeks.
Moya Doherty, one of the 'Riverdance' producers, said she was "absolutely delighted that all allegations have been withdrawn".
She added: " We are particularly delighted for Joan Bergin that all such allegations were withdrawn and we're very happy it's over and we can now get on with the business of real theatre."
Relieved
Joan Bergin, the designer who took over the 'Riverdance' costume work, said: "I'm mightily relieved for every costume designer who works in theatre, otherwise we'd just spend the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders."
Last week the court had heard that Mr Kelly agreed to design costumes for 'Riverdance the Show' following the success of the performance at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest.
As the show's popularity expanded, an agreement was entered into in October 1996 between 'Riverdance' and Mr Kelly.
As part of that agreement Mr Kelly received a royalty payment of £60 per performance -- but difficulties later arose, the court heard.
The difficulties culminated in an agreement in December 1999 under which Mr Kelly was to receive a payment and his costume designs would be used in the shows up until the end of December 2001.
Mr Kelly contended that his costume designs have since been used, without his consent, as well as in promotional material for the show.
The court heard the defendants disputed that Mr Kelly's designs had been used or copied.
- Tim Healy
Irish Independent
