MICHAEL FLATLEY’S LORD OF THE DANCE – DANGEROUS GAMES | STAGE REVIEW
St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Weds 8 Apr
Well, where to begin? At the beginning, perhaps: I first saw Riverdance performed during the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest, about 20 years ago. I was mesmerised by it then, and am still just as excited and engrossed to this day.
So the opportunity to see Lord Of The Dance (which I also saw in concert, approximately eight years ago), was not to be missed. I was not disappointed, apart from the fact that I was really hoping that Michael Flatley himself would be performing part of the show. He did, after a fashion, but in the form of a hologram, more of which later.
The story is a basic battle of good versus evil: the Lord Of The Dance versus the Dark Lord. This is primarily visualised through Irish dancing, but is so much more than that, with breathtaking choreography and dance routines. This is most spectacularly demonstrated when all dancers are on stage together, literally making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The only parts of the show which were anything less than engrossing was where the dancers took a break, leaving just one singer onstage; I suppose the dancers do need a breather, though, as they work so hard.
To my delight, Flatley did appear briefly at the beginning of the show – I believe with his son – in the form of a hologram. This was reprised, quite spectacularly, at the end of the show, where he danced for five to 10 minutes. Mesmerising, and a demonstration that he’s lost none of his ability to perform, albeit not live.
My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed the show: the music, the dancing and the encouragement it instilled in us to take up some more physical exercise, based on the physiques of the dancers, male and female alike!
words JACKY REES
Michael Flatley’s Lord Of The Dance – Dangerous Games, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, until Sun 12 Apr. Tickets: £33-£43.50. Info: 029 2087 8444 / www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk