One of the most successful dance shows ever, Lord Of The Dance is back on tour following its 25th anniversary outing two years ago.
Appearing at The Regent theatre, in Hanley, over the weekend, the show brings high precision, technically perfect Irish dancing to the stage for audiences to enjoy once again.
Blending key elements of Irish culture through music and dance, the show tells a classic story of good versus evil with the Lord of the Dance pitted against the Dark Lord and his army of warlords, while Morrighan the Temptress comes between he Lord of the Dance and his true love Saoirse.
With a film screen backdrop that tells the story of Michael Flatley’s rise to stardom, the plot appears to be a metaphorical retelling of Flatley’s battle against tradition to develop his own style of Irish dancing.
It goes without saying that the Irish dancing is at the heart of the show with meticulously choreographed and executed dances captivating the audience from start to finish. While the story supporting the framework of the show may be simple, the footwork is complex. Breathtakingly fast sequences are delivered with expert precision from all cast members, perfectly choreographed in time with the softer dance style of the female cast set against the fierce tap dancing of the male cast members to great effect.
The dancing is absolutely the highlight of the show, which presents a great opportunity to see the spectacle of the fast-paced footwork first hand. Interspersed with songs that progress the story, the excellent fiddle players are another standout point.
While the backstory may feel a little laboured, the dancing is the main event here, and it is good to see something different on stage. The dancers are fantastic and this show is popular for a good reason, although the ‘lifetime of standing ovations’ message feels a little contrived especially displayed on the back drop ahead of the finale. Likewise, the extended footage of Michael Flatley after the dancers appear to have wrapped up the show.
When the focus is on the footwork of the hardworking cast this show is at its best – and is a great example of delivering mass appeal through dance.
CNM
