The press release for last night’s performance of Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance – A Lifetime of Standing Ovations at Oxford’s New Theatre confidently plays the numbers game: “60 million people…60 countries…1000 venues,” it gushes. And then (somewhat mind-bendingly) adds that the show ‘boasts 150,000 taps per performance’(!) (Any fact-checkers out there? Good luck with that one!)
But it’s possible that the numbers are there because words really don’t do this show justice, although it all begins somewhat inauspiciously with just a bare stage, a few rows of metal steps and a large projection-screen at the back, and for the first half of the show, barely a hint of any story line.
‘oh the dancing! Who needs a storyline when the dancing mesmerises us all like this?’
But, oh the dancing! Who needs a storyline when the dancing mesmerises us all like this?! And besides, there’s something to be said for a show that offers pure escapism and doesn’t require you to think but just to marvel at the spectacle.
So we enjoyed The Little Spirit (Cassidy Ludwig) flitting around between the goodies The Lord (Conor Rodgers) and Saoirse (Katie Coates) a fitting foil to baddies The Dark Lord (Joseph Howarth) and Morrighan (Erin Learmont).
All dazzle through their individual star turns and their formation-dancing alongside the equally impressive supporting dancers. But to call them all dancers is to under-sell them because when they have their tap-shoes on they are perfectly syncopated percussionists to their own dance steps -a feast of sight and sound, and therein lies its power to move us so deeply.
‘You’d have to have a very cold heart not to be blown away by the dancing!’
After the interval – please Mr/Mrs Show Producer, we don’t need loud music pumped at us while we natter over our ice-creams – the simple good versus evil plot reveals itself and the excellent pacing of the show continues: dance routines interspersed with violin duals and slow ballads – one sung in Gaelic, a welcome authentic touch.
We have some cheeky skirt and shirt removals and a touching on-screen appearance from Lord Dance Michael Flatley himself.
At the end, the Lord of the Dance tune is on repeat and the line of furiously tapping dancers seem unwilling to leave the stage and as fresh as they were at the beginning of the show. A triumph.
I can now understand why it’s titled A Lifetime of Standing Ovations as we added our own to the tally. You’d have to have a very cold heart not to be blown away by the dancing!
Edward Bliss
Lord of the Dance – A Lifetime of Standing Ovations, New Theatre Oxford runs until Wed July 31. BOOK HERE
