Lord of the Dance creator Michael Flatley has obtained an emergency injunction to stop any alleged interference with a planned 30th anniversary show in Dublin.
Lawyers for the star obtained the temporary order at the High Court in Belfast following an earlier announcement that Thursday night's performance had been cancelled due to an ongoing legal dispute.
Mr Flatley is locked in a battle with entertainment company Switzer Consulting Ltd over control of the multi-million pound stage show.
The firm claims he has breached a July 2024 service agreement for it to oversee the touring operation.
Last week a judge lifted an interim ban on the 67-year-old Irish dancer and choreographer being involved in forthcoming shows.
With Mr Flatley pursuing a counter claim against Switzer, a trial in the case is expected to take place later this year.
But his lawyers returned to court this afternoon after a solicitor for Switzer said that the Lord of the Dance performance due to take place at the 3Arena on Thursday had been called off with "immediate effect".
It was reported that the decision had been taken because the ongoing commercial and legal dispute could not be resolved in the available time frame.
An emergency injunction was sought to prevent any interference with the planned running of the production.
The application also related to handing over any required sets or costumes.
Mr Justice Simpson agreed to make an interim order ahead of a further hearing where Switzer's legal representatives will be able to make submissions.
In a statement following the injunction, Mr Flatley said that he welcomed the decision of the High Court in Belfast.
Earlier, it was disclosed that Mr Flatley has now formally terminated his contract with the firm over staging Lord of the Dance.
The developments came in a wider lawsuit initially taken by Switzer amid disputed allegations about his financial affairs.
With 268 performances of Lord of the Dance booked across Europe and North America, the company claimed he had put those shows in jeopardy.
The court previously heard Mr Flatley has received nearly £430,000 in royalties in a 15-month period since the deal was signed.
But the arrangement began to break down when he "went on a solo run" towards the end of 2025 in a bid to restructure what had been set up, it was contended.
Further concerns were raised that another businessman who holds rights to music featured in Lord of the Dance could pull the plug on shows if there is any default on repayments of nearly $3m US dollars owed to him.
A letter sent by Mr Flatley's former financial adviser examined during the hearing alleged he has a history of running tours at a loss and liquidating companies.
"Many promoters were reluctant to deal with Michael directly as he has an industry-wide reputation for not paying his bills," the correspondence stated.
Referring to a growing sense of frustration among those who have worked with Mr Flatley for years, it was claimed he has feigned ignorance or a lack of understanding to avoid debt obligations.
The financial adviser stated that he has used other people's money to maintain a facade of wealth.
"Since 2019 Michael has lived the lifestyle of a Monaco millionaire without the funds to do so,2 the letter alleged.
"In the bluntest terms he was faking it on a multi-million euro scale."
The star compounded his difficulties by making "horrendous" business mistakes which cost him millions in further borrowings at a time when he had no income and was running out of road financially, his former business associate claimed.
He added: "Michael's appetite for lifestyle cash was insatiable, including borrowing €75,000 for his birthday party and €50,000 to join Monaco yacht club, all during a time when he had no income other than borrowings."
During the application for an extended injunction, claims were made about an attempt to replace the plaintiff firm with the newly formed Feet of Flames entity.
Mr Flatley's legal team countered that a deed of trust shows he has a controlling shareholding in Switzer, a company they maintain is only entitled to a management agent's fee.
Under the terms of a five-year arrangement, it was to receive a monthly fee of £35,000, rising to £40,000 after the first two years.
Mr Justice Simpson was told the attacks on the dancer's character and ability to run a business had nothing to do with the case.
He had relied on his former financial adviser and been informed that the agreement brought the business back into his full ownership, the court heard.
Questions were raised about Switzer's financial status amid claims it had no listed employees or money until fresh accounts were filed last Saturday which now show net assets of just over £2m.
Based on concerns about its solvency, any cross-undertaking to pay Mr Flatley damages if it ultimately loses the breach of contract case was described as worthless.
Backing those submissions last week, the court refused to maintain an injunction sought by Switzer to block Mr Flatley from involvement in the shows.
The judge held that imposing a prohibition until the trial is determined could result in "potentially unquantifiable" losses for the star who owns intellectual property in Lord of the Dance.
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