Stream: Michael Flatley’s Celtic Tiger
Having caught ‘Feet of Flames’ at the Playhouse Theatre in London, I was hoping for something more, although retaining the spectacular Irish Dance technique for which his company is renowned. However, I was severely disappointed. As part of the original Riverdance company until an acrimonious split from the company, his work still does not have the skill of the original staging by choreographer Mavis Ascott, who happened to be our ballet mistress at the London Palladium at the time.
This large-scale arena tour was beset with problems. Premiered before an invitation-only audience at the NEC in Birmingham for one night only, then similarly in Budapest. Then the premier in Prague was cancelled, where the vast stage built for it was deemed to be unsafe for the dancers. It went on to tour Canada, the United States and Asia with a varied reception. Its winter tours were cancelled as Flatley had a virus infection. Surprisingly, it never reached the UK. I suspect because of its content. The first half is devoted to the story of Ireland with a bucolic view of the countryside and happy peasants, ending with an unflattering view of the English. Although the opening is the usual long line of traditional step dancing which never fails to inspire, the re-enactment of the troubles is problematic to say the least. The second half is unashamedly an homage to America. This includes a provocative striptease, much flag waving and revolution (think Les Mis), Flatley aping Richard Gere in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’, a cowboy routine and Al Capone. A real mishmash of cheap content.
The staging and projections are sub-Eurovision standard even for 2005. Although the dancers as usual work extremely hard, they are asked to execute work which would grace a local dancing school. Flatley demonstrates his sublime foot work, but the toll it has wrought is shown in his upper body. How often can he do his superman skim across the stage? However, this does not deter his adoring fans who pack the stadiums. You get the feeling that he has reached the end of his creative dream with this frankly tasteless, disappointing event.
