One of the most colourful characters in the world of entertainment, Michael Flatley, is to visit the Royal Castlebar Theatre and Event Centre within the next couple of weeks. Unquestionably the most talented dancer of his generation, Michael is coming to Mayo to promote his Lord of the Dance show which starts at the Royal Castlebar on Saturday January 3. “I have heard great things about the venue in Castlebar and I know that I am going to be hugely impressed when I see the world-class new facility with my own eyes,” says Michael. “It’s a huge step forward for the people of Connacht as it means that elite shows and events such as ours can be brought to their doorstep. Prior to the opening of the new Royal Castlebar, it was just not an option for us to travel west of the Shannon.”
As a first generation Irish-American, Michael was steeped in the traditions of his parents’ homeland. He was taught his first Irish dancing steps at the age of four by his maternal grandmother who, like his mother, was a champion Irish dancer. Apart from dancing, Michael mastered playing the traditional Irish flute and also became an amateur boxing champion; no mean feat for the south Chicago native. At the age of 17, Michael became the first American to win the title of World Irish Dancing Champion and also won the first of three All-Ireland Flute Championships. As a competitive dancer, Flatley accumulated a remarkable record of technical and aesthetic excellence that included 168 consecutive first-place championships. Michael got his first lucky break when he was invited by the Chieftains to go on tour with them in 1983. “I just couldn't believe my ears when I was asked to dance with the Chieftains. My heart started to beat real fast and my hands started to shake. The Chieftains are the greatest Irish musicians in the world. I told them I would be honoured. As coincidence would have it, I know that the Chieftains performed at The Royal Castlebar only a few weeks ago and it’s great that they are still going as strong as ever. ”
The County of Mayo featured heavily in what was to become a life-changing experience for Michael. The roots of what was to become the Riverdance phenomenon can be found in the Mayo 5000 celebrations of 1993. An initiative from Mayo County Council to celebrate the opening of the visitors' centre at the Ceide Fields archaeological site in 1993, the Mayo 5000 concert took place in the National Concert Hall, Dublin. Mayo 5000 was produced by Moya Doherty and John McColgan and included a new musical work by composer Bill Whelan called The Spirit of Mayo. The show included choral pieces by the choir Anuna and starred Irish dancers Jean Butler, Colin Dunne and a certain Mr Michael Flatley. This team was reunited a few short months later and the rest, as they say, is history. As Riverdance was expanded from the Eurovision 1994 interval act to a full-length touring production, Michael became a superstar, receiving critical acclaim from all quarters. In 1995, Michael left Riverdance to produce, direct and choreograph his own show.
Michael was adamant that Lord of the Dance was an Irish show that had to be born out of Ireland and on July 2 1996, Lord of the Dance premiered at the Point Theatre in Dublin. Audiences and critics couldn't get enough; calling it “powerful”, “fantastic”, “electrifying”, “spellbinding”, and ‘an awesome sight”. It was an instant success, playing to sold-out venues, receiving standing ovations, and eventually setting records all over the world. Lord of the Dance has subsequently outsold all other major shows across the globe and has broken box-office records in both the UK and America. Seen in 60 different countries, it has thrilled audiences on six continents from Russia, throughout Europe, across the US, Canada and Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, Australia and the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, Israel and Lebanon. It has been recognized as the world's highest grossing dance show, selling in excess of $500,000,000 worth of tickets.
Michael says “I have always personally retained artistic control over Lord of the Dance and I am very pleased that it has gone from strength to strength. The show is permanently reviewed by a team of 20 creative professionals including set designers, costume designers, lighting and sound experts and choreographers to ensure its high standards are maintained. There is a constant search throughout the world to find new and exciting dance talent to introduce into the show. For the show to be coming home to Ireland is absolutely fantastic. It will be a wonderful start to 2009 for us to bring the show to Connacht for the first time ever. My father is from Sligo, so I have a huge personal affinity to the west. It is a very proud moment for me as creator of Lord of the Dance and I know that the troupe is also thrilled at the prospect. As with the 50 million plus people who have seen Lord of the Dance since we started, I know that the people who come to our show at the Royal Castlebar are going to have an unforgettable experience.” Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance runs at the Royal Castlebar Theatre and Event Centre from Saturday January 3 to Thursday January 8 2009. Tickets can be booked through www.theroyal.ie, www.ticketmaster.ie, any ticketmaster outlet nationwide or, for the price of a local call, the box office of the Royal Castlebar at 0818 300000; this number is operational 24/7.
