Fans of Riverdance can now get a taste of the foot-stomping show online thanks to a Brighton firm.

Babel Media has created the official website for the show which launched the career of flamboyant Irish dancer Michael Flatley.

Staff at the Brighton firm persuaded Riverdance producers to turn their plain website into a Riverdance portal with video clips, e-commerce facilities and a private area for the dancers themselves.

Fans can now buy tickets and merchandise on the site and read frequently updated interview and news sections.

Visitors are introduced to Ciara, an animated dancer who hosts a fun and games section. Some visitors are returning to the site three times a week.

Babel marketing manager Anna Sjostrom said: "The producers took quite a lot of convincing to understand what we were talking about.

"We convinced them they had something very big. Everyone in America is Ireland crazy."

Babel Media has considered adding travel and weather information and a geneology service to appeal to Irish Americans.

Ms Sjostrom said the vast numbers of people who have seen the Riverdance show provide a natural audience for the site.

She said: "The potential was the audience they have."

The site publicises a homecoming show in Dublin and a planned tour of Asia.

Aside from web design, Babel Media is also responsible for testing computer products.

Microsoft and Time Warner Interactive feature on the firm's client list.

www.riverdance.com
www.babelmedia.com