Lord of the Dance (musical)

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For other meanings, see Lord of the Dance

Lord of the Dance is an Irish musical and dance production that was created, choreographed, produced by Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, also its star. Music to the show is written by Ronan Hardiman.

Contents

[edit] Background

Michael Flatley found his first fame starring in Riverdance, but he left the show in 1995 before its debut in London after a disagreement over creative control. Flatley dreamed of putting together a dance show capable of playing in arenas instead of traditional theaters. [1] He soon began thinking of rhythm patterns and steps for an a capella number. This number would later become "Planet Ireland", the show's finale. The show took 6 months to bring it from conception to the stage. Auditions were held in the SFX City Theatre in Dublin.

[edit] Performances

Lord of the Dance had preview shows at the Point Theatre in Dublin from June 28 to July 1, 1996. The show premiered on July 2, 1996. The story follows the character "Lord of the Dance" and his fight against the evil dark lord "Don Dorcha" from taking over Planet Ireland. The Lord of the Dance defeats his invasion with a little help from a little spirit. There is also a story with a "love vs lust" theme expressed through dance throughout the show. "Saoirse, the Irish Cailín" fights for the love of the "Lord of the Dance" against the wicked "Morrigan, the Temptress". The stories are based in ancient Irish folklore and a bit of Biblical references.

In March 1997, Lord of the Dance performed at the Oscars. That November, Lord of the Dance expanded operations by forming several troupes of dancers. These troupes would tour North America and Europe. Flatley signed a contract with Disney for Lord of the Dance to perform at Epcot in Walt Disney World in the summer of 1999. Lord of the Dance was asked back next summer in 2000. Troupe 4 performed at the Disneyland Paris Resort in 2002-03. There are currently four troupes of Lord of the Dance productions touring the world.

[edit] Feet of Flames

On July 25, 1998 after two years of touring, Flatley created Feet of Flames, an expanded version of Lord of the Dance. Feet of Flames took the dancers from all the troupes and put them together, totaling almost 100. The final stage was 180 feet wide with multiple levels. The show was held before 25,000 people in London's Hyde Park. The special feature was a dance solo by Flatley without music. It was supposed to be the last time Flatley danced live on stage, but the show would later go on tour in 2000-01. However the touring production only had one troupe. The show in Hyde park was the last time Michael Flatley danced in "Lord of the Dance", he would go on to do the Feet of Flames World Tour, and now Celtic Tiger.

Further information: Feet of Flames

[edit] Lord of the Dance today

In 2008, Lord of the Dance still has two troupes on tour. Troupe 1 tours Europe and Asia, while troupe 2 tours the US, Canada and South America.

Michael Flatley, while still the creator, producer and director of the production does not perform with either troupe. He is currently dancing in his new show, Celtic Tiger.

The Lord of the Dance 10th Anniversary Party was held in June 2006.

[edit] Lead Dancers

Over the years, along with several troupes, the lead dancers have changed.

Original characters (1996 show)

Bernadette Flynn is still touring with the show. Gillian Norris left the show in early 2000. Daire Nolan left the show shortly after its first run in Epcot in 1999. Nesbitt is now with the Celtic band Celtic Woman. Smyth is touring with Flatley in Celtic Tiger. Buckley has left the show and has made her own solo album.

[edit] Show Acts

Act 1

  • Cry of the Celts
  • Erin the Goddess
  • Celtic Dream
  • The Warriors
  • Gypsy
  • Strings of Fire
  • Breakout
  • Warlords
  • Erin the Goddess
  • The Lord of the Dance

Act 2

  • Dangerous Game
  • Hell's Kitchen
  • Fiery Nights
  • The Lament
  • Siamsa
  • Our Wedding Day
  • Stolen Kiss
  • Nightmare
  • The Duel
  • Victory
  • Planet Ireland

[edit] Tour Dates

Michael Flatley starred in the show from 1996 to early 1998 before going on to Feet of Flames. This incomplete list includes Troupe 1, Troupe 2, Troupe 3, and Troupe 4.

1996 - with Michael Flatley June 28 to December 30: Ireland premiere, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand

1997 - with Michael Flatley January 3 to November 27: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia

1998 January 11 to December 10: England, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Austria, France, Norway.

1999 January 9 to December 19: Israel, Germany, England, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, France, Portugal.

2000 January 26 to December 16: Japan, South Africa, France, United States, Germany,

2001 January 21 to December 22: Germany, France, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, England, the Netherlands, Japan, Russia, Estonia, Belgium.

2002 February 16 to December 31: France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Lebanon, England, Finland, Russia, Ukraine,

2003 January 1 to December 16: France, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Belgium, England, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Spain,

2004 January 13 to December 19: Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia, Switzerland, France, Greece, Czech Republic, South Africa, Israel, China.

2005 January 12 to December 31: Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Switzerland, Macedonia, England,

2006 January 1 to June 26: England, Chile

2007 Troupe One --- March 1 to December 22nd: United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, France, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Greece

Further information: Lord of the Dance (musical) tour dates

[edit] See also

v • d • e
Michael Flatley's dance shows
Shows
Riverdance · Lord of the Dance · Feet of Flames · Celtic Tiger
Performers
Composers
Producers
John McColgan · Moya Doherty