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It began as a short dance performance designed to fill the seven-minute interval slot at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest in Ireland – then exceeded all expectations by going on to become a worldwide sensation and a major part of 1990s culture, equally loved and spoofed.

Now Riverdance, the celebration of traditional Irish dancing that was quickly turned into a full-length theatrical production, is returning for its 25th anniversary with a UK tour that includes three dates at Sheffield City Hall.

Developed by producer Moya Doherty, composer Bill Whelan and director John McColgan, the show – which originally starred Michael Flatley until he left over a creative dispute – sparked a mania for Celtic step dancing and broke box office records during its premiere run in Dublin in early 1995.

It then transferred to London and New York, and has drawn big audiences to venues in far-flung places such as Asia, South Africa and Australia over the past quarter of a century.

At the same time it provided comic inspiration for the likes of French and Saunders, and the writers of sitcom Father Ted - but, since it began, Riverdance has been seen live by more than 27.5 million people.

Twenty-five years on, Whelan has re-recorded the Grammy Award-winning score and the team has rejigged the show with new staging and costume designs.

The Sheffield dates are on April 28, 29 and 30, 2020, and a 25th anniversary LP is out now.

See www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk/event/riverdance for tickets.

Riverdance is coming to Sheffield for its 25th anniversary – and here’s how to get tickets