There’s nothing quite like the sound of a 40-strong army of dancers tapping their feet several times a second in perfect unison.
This powerful clickety-clack can only mean one thing – Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance is back with a bang.
And 25 years on, the Irish dancing phenomenon still has a spring in its step as the show received not one but two standing ovations at His Majesty’s Theatre last night.
World champion dancers
Charging onto the stage in true Flatley style – feet faster than the speed of light and arms open wide – all eyes were on Matt Smith as he whipped the audience into a frenzy with his fancy footwork as the hero Lord of the Dance.
Dramatic, fast-paced and full of energy from the get go, there was barely a moment to catch a breathe as the extraordinary cast of world champion Irish dancers captivated the audience with their gravity defying high kicks, dizzying twirls and soaring leaps.
High energy show
But it’s as the dancers merge into that iconic one long line of perfect synchronicity – made famous by Flatley – when the excitement really spreads from the stalls all the way up to the balcony.
To the beat of the pounding Irish drum, the excitement continues as the good vs evil storyline culminates in a dance battle between the Lord of the Dance and his nemesis, The Dark Lord.
Talented cast
Effortlessly elegant and graceful yet supremely powerful, Kaitlyn O’Halloran Murphy commands every inch of the stage as Saoirse.
It wasn’t just the dancers who brought the Irish ceilidh to Aberdeen though as Giada Costenaro Cunningham and Aisling Sage on the fiddles were simply sensational while singer Celyn Cartwright, left the audience mesmerised by her stunning vocals.
One star who really lit up the stage though was Cassidy Ludwig who dazzled as Little Spirit.
Clutching her tin whistle, it wasn’t long before she had everyone singing “Dance, then, wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the Dance, said he”.
Deafening claps, cheers and whistles rang out as the dancers took to the stage for their final goosebump inducing crescendo.
Without spoiling the show for anyone else who is lucky enough to be going this week, it’s safe to say that there are a few surprises at the end which prompted not one but two standing ovations.
In the melee of people leaving the theatre, I hear the words “amazing” and “incredible” being muttered.
But there’s one comment among the sea of theatre goers that stands out: “I’m buzzing so much that I could watch it all again”.
And do you know something, I couldn’t agree more.
Conversation