Review: Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games

 By Louw Mulder

 

Whenever there is such a massive build up to an event, and by this I mean a period of anticipation to see Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance since I could remember, the expectations would set a benchmark that may sometimes be difficult to satisfy. This, however, was not the case with Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, which exceeded all expectations I had about the show.

I should probably get my ranting out of the way first. With thousands of tickets sold, and almost the whole season at the Montecasino’s Teatro sold out for Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, I was quite embarrassed to be part of the nation who welcomed this world-class act to our shores, the real South African way. With load shedding causing us to start about 30 minutes late on opening night, this lifelong wait to see this show, really started on a bad foot, so to speak.

But then, thanks to the professional intervention of Montecasino, and the Teatro, we were back on the generator in no time and it was clear that nothing will come in the way of what a full theatre were about to experience. The lights dimmed, again, but this time it was to announce the start of the performance, and it was soon very clear, that the professionalism and loyal dedication of this multi-national cast of Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, would not easily be put off by a late start.

The story of Dangerous Games, takes place in the dream of the Little Spirit, played by Jess Judge. It is the constant battle of good versus evil, where the Lord of the Dance, played by Morgan Comer, has to overcome The Dark Lord, danced by Tom Cunningham, his army of Dark Disciples, and the seduction of Morrighan, who wants to come between the Lord and his true love, Saorise. The two ladies were danced by Andrea Kren and Nikita Cassidy respectively.

The boys, led by Comer, were sexy, and their moves and dances were contagiously energetic, filled with passion for what they do, with the element of wow in many of their scenes. Cathal Keaney, who plays the Lord of the Dance during alternate performances, told us after the performance that their fitness levels are almost equal to that of a rugby team.

This was clearly evident by the high-speed choreography through-out the show, and what you would come to expect from a Flatley production. Did you know that when these guys buy their dancing shoes, they have to buy it two sizes smaller? “Because we dance so much, the leather stretches, and mould around your foot” Keaney said.

Another element of the show, which contributes exactly as it should to the success of the production, and with this I also mean the telling of the story, was the Costume Design, by Christopher Woods. Good and evil were clearly identifiable and the sexiness of the dancing throughout was done stylishly. Dangerous Games also featured the Robojig characters, with green illumined costumes and red-light-eyes. “It’s extremely difficult to dance with those costumes, as it has 3 layers, even one with the battery packs” Keaney explained.

No dance show of this calibre will thrive on its success, if it wasn’t for appropriate music to dance on. The music for Dangerous Games, composed by Gerard Fahy, is a combination of traditional Irish music, with an eclectic mix of sounds and styles. Did you know that during the recording of the Dangerous Games soundtrack, the flutes were played by Michael Flatley himself?

So, in a collective and holistic view of Lord of the Dance, Dangerous Games, I would think it to be unfair to highlight any one aspect of the show above others. All elements play their part in contributing to one extraordinary theatrical experience. From the lighting design, visual effects, right through to the costumes, choreography and dancing, everything came together, to end the night with three standing ovations!!!

To Morgan, Cathal, Marton, Andras, and the rest of the cast who I was privileged to meet, enjoy the rest of your stay in South Africa. We hope to see you all back here soon.

The Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, will run at the Teatro in Montecasino, till Sunday, 26 July 2015.