Lord of the Dance/ Feet of Flames

When I was a child I grew up with an appreciation of all things Irish due to my family's Irish history primarily on my mother's side. For years (well centuries really) Irish culture was despised and look down on. While under English subjugation, the Irish were made to believe that their way of life was inferior and that it should be wiped out especially their dancing. However, the Irish continued to hold tight to their culture and traditions which eventually made across the ocean to America.

In 1994, the world was blown away by the "new" dance phenomenon of Irish step dancing when Michael Flatley and his small troupe performed at Eurovision. Michael's interval act has made the way for multiple shows over the decades. However, none have had the full lasting impact as his fantasy spectacle Lord of the Dance and its extended version, Feet of Flames. 

 

Planet Ireland, a world of peace and beauty is ruled by Erin the Goddess and protected by the Lord of the Dance and his beautiful consort Saoirse Cailin. However, Don Dorcha (Lord of Darkness), a fallen angel, has come to wage war on Planet Ireland, causing the Little Spirit to call upon the Lord of the Dance to fight for them. The Lord of Darkness will stop at nothing to gain power. Morrighan, the crafty gypsy, is sent to challenge Saoirse's authority and seduce the Lord of the Dance, while Don Dorcha and his warriors terrorize the Little Spirit to break her power. The fate of Planet Ireland is in the balance of good and evil, love and lust, life, death...and  resurrection. 

As a side note, the show was inspired by this hymn that aptly tells the story of Christ in a delightful and very Irish way: 

 

When I was a kid my siblings and I were obsessed with these movies! Michael Flatley became a hero in our home and he inspired some of my siblings to dance (of which they're all very good too). While the musical has no dialogue, the story is easy to pick up on. As an visual experience, it's absolutely beautiful! The artistry is so seeped into proud Irish culture that one almost becomes Irish while watching it. Seriously so both of these performances! They're wonderful to watch and will become absolute musical staples.