Celtic "Women"

I went to see Celtic "Women" on May 21 at Radio City Music Hall.

Women? The vast majority of the people on stage were men: all of the instrumentalists, both of the dancers, even some of the singers.  There were a few women performers who were spotlighted.  What?

I learned about this group by watching YouTube videos.  Virtually all of the women on the stage were changed from the ones that were pictured on the videos, i.e. the five singers.  The new ones were all perfectly shaped with matching youthful, almost childlike, voices and form fitting gowns that showed off their excellent figures.  

The only woman who was the same as in the videos was the dancing violinist.  I guess they couldn't replace her -- but she also has remained very beautiful.  Presumably all that dancing keeps her in shape.  Her gown was high cut to show off her muscular legs.

The almost childlike singing style was disturbing to me as it made me feel that the women were there essentially as puppets of the men -- to create a male fantasy, not really as featured performers.  The way the women had been replaced tended to confirm that impression.

By contrast some of the men were chubby and middle aged.  They did not appear to have been replaced.

This type of inequity is so typical of the entertainment industry.  I've remarked on it with respect to Josh Groban's band as well.

We have an aging population.  How long are we going to tolerate an entertainment industry that won't show people as they are?  And, in particular, how long are we going to tolerate the idea that women can only be young and thin?

I find this situation unacceptable.  It's time to start voting with our feet.

This being said, tho, the music was very pleasant.  The performers were professional with good timing and stage presence.   Everything went smoothly.

The choreography for the main female singers was a bit repetitive.  They swished their skirts in the same way quite often.

The male step dancers were quite energetic and interesting to watch, tho I thought there could have been a bit more vigorous percussion with them.  Query, tho, given that this is Celtic "Women," why the dancers were male.

The acoustics were excellent.  The sound was never too loud, which is very important to me, as I have sensitive hearing; yet I could hear everything quite clearly.

Still, I left unsettled, feeling that, instead of showcasing women, this act exploited them, while giving lots of steadier jobs to men.