Lord Of The Dance 25th Anniversary Review

Tonight I was at the first of three nights for Michael Flateley’s Lord of the dance which is on at the Sunderland Empire for a brief visit. Having been seen by over 60 million people in 60 different countries across every continent, it is one of the most successful dance productions in the world. Celebrating it’s 25th Anniversary (Yes, 25th!) this show has been updated for a new audience. Read on for my Lord of the dance 25th Anniversary review, for what was my second time seeing it.

This was a celebration of Irish dance, music and singing, given to us through a story of good and evil.

Led by the spirit Cassidy Ludwig who carries her penny whistle throughout of whom is quiet and graceful.

Our female dance troupe is led by Lauren Clarke in the role of Saoris, who battles within a love triangle with Morrighan, played by Cyra Taylor for our male lead Matt Smith.

Celyn Cartwright provided musical interludes brilliantly between scenes in her tole of Erin, the Goddess.

Aisling Sage and Giada Constenaro Cunningham were just brilliant as our two violinists and they were some of my favourite moments of the show.

This show was elegant and graceful and at other times brash and forceful. I loved how it could change moods quickly, keeping the energetic pace and mood throughout.

There were moments when the male cast ripped their tops off to leave themselves bare chested that raised the temperatures in the theatre and brought a welcome appreciation for these honed torsos.

Matt Smith our lead male was happy to encourage the audience in the above scenes and delivered his role superbly as the lead role of the males. He was like peacock with his feathers out and showered himself upon us. His dance talent needs no talking up, as he clearly delivered in this role previously held by Michael Flatley himself, while rousing the audience to clap. Battle scenes with our bad guy for the night Declan Durning, were intense and powerful.

Starting and ending we have Flatley himself introduce and end the show via a video recording. He reminds us of his ambition when he started out to the success the show has, that some in the show weren’t even born when it first started and a dance to show is that it must have been amazing to have witnessed him live. Regardless, Flatley has left a legacy that a younger generation have taken up and continue to make history with. Id recommend coming to see this show, its full of passion, fantastic dance and thoroughly entertaining.

Lord Of The Dance will hit Sunderland Empire’s stage from Monday 23 May – Wednesday 25 May 2022. Tickets priced from just £13* are available from the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 7615* or online at www.ATGtickets.com/sunderland*

*A £3.65 transaction fee applies to telephone and online bookings. Calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your standard network charge.

Read more news from the Sunderland Empire here. Read other reviews here.