The Lord of the Dance Show creator Michael Flatley has beaten a legal bid to block his involvement in upcoming productions of the show.
An entertainment company had sought a court injunction to bar him from any role in a worldwide 30th anniversary tour of the show, due to get under way in Dublin next week.
The proceedings centred on a service agreement reached in July 2024, which Switzer Consulting Ltd claimed gave it all rights to run the multi-million pound production.
It sued the dancer, claiming he was in breach of an agreement for it to run the stage show.
Earlier this month the company obtained a temporary injunction blocking Mr Flatley from having any role after claiming he was putting future shows in jeopardy by direct interference with the business.
Michael Flatley rejected the claim, insisting that he retained 100% ownership of the rights.
In the Chancery Court in Belfast today, a judge dismissed the application for a full injunction, and removed the temporary injunction.
Speaking outside the court after the judgment, Mr Flatley blessed himself as he said: "I'd just like to say thank God, I’m delighted with the judge’s decision today.
"I won’t be in the car 10 seconds and I’ll be calling all my dancers, all of the cast and crew.
"All their families have flown in and we’re going to lift the roof on Thursday.
"This will be the greatest version of this show that you will ever see.
"I’m absolutely delighted."
Asked if he was back in control of the production, Mr Flatley said: "Yes, 100%."
The legal dispute hinged on a terms of service agreement under which Flatley transferred intellectual property rights for Lord of the Dance to Switzer and they in turn were then required to provide business management services to Flatley such as accounts and payroll.
The temporary injunction first filed by Switzer director Joe Gallagher in early January prohibited Mr Flatley from "cancelling, postponing, or in any way interfering" with the Lord of the Dance, including forbidding him to "contact promoters or venues".
This was on the basis of breach of contract as well as "conspiracy to cause loss by unlawful means".
Mr Justice Simpson said that at that time he had been shown a text message Mr Gallagher had been sent from Mr Flatley’s agent Denis O’Sullivan, saying "understand you have no further involvement whatsoever in anything to do" with the Lord of the Dance.
Gary McHugh KC, representing Switzer, had said the injunction was necessary to protect Switzer’s interests because Mr Flatley’s financial situation would have left him unable to pay damages.
The court heard a statement by Mr Flatley’s former financial adviser Des Walsh who said the dancer "has lived the lifestyle of a Monaco millionaire" by borrowing money "as he did not even have the minimum cash required to open a residency package".
His statement claimed Mr Flatley’s "appetite for lifestyle cash was insatiable", and he borrowed €75,000 for a birthday party and €50,000 to join Monaco Yacht Club.
David Dunlop KC, representing Mr Flatley, rejected the claims that Mr Flatley "was a man with substantial debts", and that "ad hominem" attacks had been made on his character by the opposing legal team.
Mr Dunlop had told the court yesterday that Mr Flatley had half a million euro with a solicitor in Dublin that was available to pay to the end of the contract with Switzer.
Today, Mr Justice Simpson said he was "satisfied that damages are an adequate remedy for the plaintiff (Switzer) and that the money is available to pay for any damages sustained".
Mr Flatley’s legal team also raised the fact that Switzer had filed new accounts last weekend, updating their valuation with a primary asset being their licence agreement with Mr Flatley.
Mr Justice Simpson said: "I cannot see how accounts can be filed essentially taking the whole of contingent income and describing it as an asset worth £2.14 million."
The judge added that over the course of proceedings "trenchant and quite personal" allegations were "both made and denied" but that the civil nature of the case meant it was not the place to resolve "hotly disputed issues of fact".
Mr Flatley’s lawyers had warned that the Lord of the Dance tour was in danger of "falling apart" without the creator’s involvement because his "artistic direction" is a vital component.
The production is described in promotional material as "the culmination of Flatley’s belief that 'Nothing is impossible. Follow your dreams’."
Additional reporting PA
