'Lord of the Dance' to open in London's West End as fears over an injury to Michael Flatley are eliminated.
Brian O'Connell talks to the Lord of the Dance during the final rehearsal for the opening show about the forthcoming stint at the London Coliseum in the West End. Having recently recovered from a torn calf muscle injury Michael Flatley is looking forward to getting back on the stage saying,
There was never a doubt that I wouldn't be able to dance tonight.
To date, the show has received mixed reviews being described as "Pseudo Celtic Nostalgia" and "Plastic Paddyism". Dance critic Matthew Sweet describes the show as part of an overall movement similar to the fake Irish pubs that you find on every English street corner.
As competition with Riverdance to fill theatre seats continues, Flatley is determined to come out on top saying
We didn't come here to finish second.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 23 July 1996. The reporter is Brian O'Connell.
