UNITED KINGDOM: Michael Flatley attends British premiere of his new 3D film "Lord of the Dance 3D"

Record ID: 220239

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Michael Flatley attends British premiere of his new 3D film "Lord of the Dance 3D"
  • Date: 11th March 2011
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 10, 2011) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL FLATLEY, 'LORD OF THE DANCE' CREATOR, PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR, SAYING: "But I promise you, dance was the last thing on my mind. All I wanted was a normal life, never even thinking that I 'd be dancing again. So, the fact that we're doing this, for me, it's a blessing. Getting here, the first ever Irish dance film, show... Listen, it doesn't get any better for me now. Everything after tonight's a bonus. Few old beers after this and a little fun, and take the cast out to say thanks for their endless, endless hours of hard work." DANCER CIARA SEXTON TALKING TO A JOURNALIST (SOUNDBITE) (English) 'LORD OF THE DANCE' DANCER CIARA SEXTON, SAYING: "We knew that maybe Bernie [Bernadette Flynn] couldn't dance a whole show. Everyone was flapping and, you know, the girls were really worried. But it was fine. He [Flatley] sorted it all out, and he's perfect. He's the best boss. Honestly, he's brilliant."
  • Embargoed: 26th March 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom, United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVABOP1ECF32IILRAWQNDPU8VQ40
  • Story Text: Michael Flatley, the Irish dancing sensation, attends the UK gala screening of the 3D film version of his iconic dance show, 'Lord of the Dance'.
    Michael Flatley, the Irish dancing sensation, walked the red carpet on Thursday (March 10) at the UK gala screening of the 3D film adaptation of his iconic dance show, 'Lord of the Dance'. Flatley was joined by director Marcus Viner and his co-dancer Ciara Sexton who plays the part of temptress Morrighan in the production.
    The film entitled 'Lord of the Dance 3D' was filmed over five nights in November 2010, during live performances in Dublin, London and Berlin, and using twenty plus alternating 3D camera angles.
    For the last 15 years, 'Lord of the Dance', which was created, produced and directed for the stage by Flatley, has toured the world, captivating millions with a timeless story of good versus evil that is rooted in classic Celtic folklore.
    The story follows the fate of Ireland, which lies in the balance, as The Lord of the Dance (Flatley) and Don Dorcha, the Dark Lord (Tom Cunningham), struggle for dominance in an epic duel inspired by ancient Irish folklore. The film co-stars Bernadette Flynn (Saoirse).
    Flatley was asked what fresh and exciting aspects did the 3D element bring to such a successful show:
    "Well, I think this 3D thing is fantastic. It captures the magic. It captures the energy and the interaction between the audience and the performers, and I think being on stage sometimes during that show, the audience, for the first time, get see what it feels like to look back at themselves, and a lot of backstage, behind-the-scenes stuff. But I hope you'll like it. I don't think you'll be disappointed - at least I hope not," said Flatley.
    The creator is proud to announce that it's 'the first time ever, a live show is performed in 3D and film', but admits that a few things from the original show had to change, in order for the 3D to work.
    "First thing we had to do was redesign the set. I usually have a big Jumbotron [backdrop] at the back. I had to break that into seven different screens to show more depth of field. I left the front of the stage empty, eighty feet of it, so that the cameras could come on stage with us. How we ramped up the pyrotechnics," says Flatley.
    Viner said the challenge that Flatley and he faced was giving the viewer a live and 'immersive experience'.
    "So, to try and take the viewer, had they been at the arena, we were trying to take them to a place that they couldn't have got to in the arena. So, they would have been able to see things they physically wouldn't have been able to see from their seats in the arena. That was the challenge," says Viner.
    Sexton says there were wardrobe issues with the 3D medium, too.
    "My character [Morrighan] wears a lot of glitter, a lot of red glitter and a lot of black. So, we had to change a lot of things. We had to tone down a few costumes, a few bits of make-up, but it was ok in the end. We got there," says Sexton.
    After becoming mysteriously ill in 2006, Flatley admits that 'dancing was the last thing on his mind', and sees this as a momentous, personal achievement for him.
    "All I wanted was a normal life, never even thinking that I 'd be dancing again. So, the fact that we're doing this, for me, it's a blessing. Getting here, the first ever Irish dance film, show... Listen, it doesn't get any better for me now. Everything after tonight's a bonus. Few old beers after this and a little fun, and take the cast out to say thanks for their endless, endless hours of hard work," says Flatley.
    The filming in Dublin's O2 arena suffered some setbacks, with everything going wrong that could have gone wrong. Leading lady, Dubliner Flynn was injured, and couldn't dance the first three days. At the same time, Flatley had two fractured ribs, a torn right calf muscle, a ruptured left Achilles tendon and a groin tear from the high kicks.
    Sexton recalls how everyone was concerned whether the show would go on, but has nothing but praise for her boss.
    "We knew that maybe Bernie [Bernadette Flynn] couldn't dance a whole show. Everyone was flapping and, you know, the girls were really worried. But it was fine. He [Flatley] sorted it all out, and he's perfect. He's the best boss. Honestly, he's brilliant."
    The highest-grossing dance show in history with over one billion US Dollars in ticket sales, 'Lord of the Dance' has sold out to crowds in 53 countries, and been seen by over 60 million people. It premiered at the Point Theatre in Dublin on July 2, 1996, making its American premiere in March 1997 at Radio City Music Hall.
    The dance show broke all known box office records in South Africa, and sold out on twenty-one consecutive nights at Wembley Arena in 1997, as well as thirteen consecutive nights in New York's Radio City Music Hall in the same year. The show completed a six-year residency in Las Vegas and performed before an audience of more than one hundred thousand in a football stadium in Budapest, Hungary.
    'Lord of the Dance' has been performed at the Kremlin, Epcot, Disneyland Paris and the Academy Awards, as well as for heads of state including U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 300th anniversary celebration of the founding of St. Petersburg, Russia.
    It has also sold more than 10 million CDs, videos and DVDs and received Gold and Silver records for worldwide soundtrack sales.
    'Lord of the Dance' is currently being performed by two troupes, one that tours North America, and another touring Europe and Asia.
    Born and raised in Chicago, Flatley leapt to fame in the original production of 'Riverdance'. A few years ago, Flatley feared he would never dance again, after being struck down by a mysterious illness in 2006.
    Viner has delivered a number of high profile 3D projects, including a Kylie Minogue 3D promo, The Prince's Trust concert in 3D from the Royal Albert Hall, and a world first; Burberry's 3D Fashion Show broadcast live to LA, NYC, Dubai, Tokyo and Paris. He is working with Flatley on the video version of his show, 'Feet of Flames'.
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