Lord of the Dance: Lighthouse, Poole
CAN it really be 14 long years since Irish dance sensation Michael Flatley split from the phenomenally successful Riverdance and did the impossible by creating this breakaway box-office busting mega-hit?
Apparently so. In the meantime, Lord of the Dance has toured the world, played to millions and continues to pack in the punters.
As the 2009 version hit the stage at Lighthouse this week it was easy to understand the enduring appeal.
Lord of the Dance offers a feel-good fest of percussive Irish dance, jaunty Celtic music and frantic fiddle playing wrapped seamlessly around a mythological tale in which good triumphs comprehensively over evil.
The strange thing is that really this show is little more than a series of set dance pieces plus the odd song linked together by the frailest of narrative threads. It certainly doesn’t challenge its audience.
Where it wins however is in its attention to detail and the over-riding quality of the direction, choreography and of course performance.
Oh and it looks the part too with its atmospheric lighting, Celtic imagery and pyrotechnics.
* Lord of the Dance plays Lighthouse until Thursday May 21.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here