Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance
- panned by the critics
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Flatley's new show
'cynical, synthetic'
From Rachel Borrill, in London
While the fans applauded Michael Flatley's new show, of
the Dance, which opened in London on Tuesday night, the critics' comments
were far more re strained, with one describing it as embarrassing.
As two physiotherapists and a doctor stood in the wings, Flatley, who
has insured his legs for £25 million sterling, was forced to take
several painkillers to ease the pain of a torn calf muscle before leading
his dancers on stage for the first night of his show at the Coliseum Theatre.
The packed house, which included the pop star Elton John, Viscount
Linley and the film director, Michael Winner, watched in awe and rose to
their feet twice to applaud the Irish-American dancer.
After enjoying three encores and holding a bouquet of flowers aloft
in victory, Flatley hurled them into the audience as a sign of his gratitude.
Afterwards, he declared the audiences' reaction proved that Lord
of the Dance is superior to his former show, Riverdance.
"We didn't come here to finish second. We came expecting the highest,
hoping for the best and in the end I was overwhelmed. There was quite a
buzz out there and it was a great audience. I've never known a reaction
like it," he said, before limping off to the celebration party at the Savoy.
However, many of the critics did not share his view. In a biting
review, the Daily Telegraph argued that Riverdance was "well rid of him"
and dismissed Lord of the Dance as "cynical and synthetic" like a Las Vegas
arcade game.
"I admit there is a perverse if ignoble pleasure in watching a
monster ego running riot, but in the end, there is only one word for it
all - embarrassing," the critic said.
Although the London Evening Standard dance critic, Anne Sacks,
also described the show as "an ego trip", she admitted Flatley's ability
could not be ignored.
The London run of the show was originally scheduled for three
days, but it has now been extended to four weeks, which are virtually sold
out. The show will then tour Britain before going to America.
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