UK Show Reviews and Michael Moments - 6
Thanks to Cathy Evatt-Davey a.k.a. "Cathymom" for providing us with the content of this page.
Hello everone out there. Beverley here, (aka BAK, Ms Bev, but really Beverly). So, I was having an identity crisis.Arrived home from London late last night and have not come down off my Lord Cloud. My first Michael Moment on this trip was on Monday night before the show. I was really wired-waited four months to go to London, flew almost four thousand miles and had not slept for two day. So, I was up and down, up and down out of my seat. Christina and I were sitting in the fourth row left side of the stage!!!! (Christina has this gift for getting good seats, thank you C). So, this time when I sat down I saw a pair of geourgeous blue eyes, thought nice eyes, and looked to the right. The brain said "You know those eyes!" Looked back and it was Michael. Of course I made some gutteral noises, no words would come out. Finally, I said "Chritina, Michael, say hello." By this time Michael had noticed and was laughing at this little scene-it was OK . I'm glad I could brighten up his day/evening-whatever. What can I say about the show. magnificent, mesmerizing, they were all so fantastic. Michael, the troupe, the band, Anne Butler, and the crew(without whom not too much magic could be done on stage). After the show Christina and I schlepped to the back of the arena where the guards proceeded to tell us Michael had left-but we knew better. The others left, except for Christina, Maria, Kathleen, Keko(?), and I. It was cold. Michael finally came out at 12:30 am. Maria was the first to talk with MF, she told him she had come all the way from Belgium and gave him some chocalates from there-and he kissed her. Kathleen came next and told MF she was from California and was kissed, then KeKo told Michael she was from Oregon and also received her kiss. What could I say. Told himself "We're only from Massachusetts-he laughed and I received my kiss. Michael told Christina it was nice to see her again and I know her kiss was just a tad bit longer than ours. So this was my first night seeing Michael . To say it was magic and I thoroughly enjoyed it would be an understatement, I thank Michael et al for a wonderful experience in the UK. Beverly 134.241.213.136 Lawrence, MA USA - Tuesday, January 20, 1998 at 08:19:51 (PST)
WENT TO SHOW 16/1/98 THE BEST LIVE SHOW I`VE EVER SEEN. HOPE TO BE SEEING MORE OF YOU IN THE FUTURE. MRS. T. MATHIESON 195.99.46.38 <J.T.SMITH@BTINTERNET.COM> SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, January 20, 1998 at 12:00:35 (PST)
Thanks to everyone for the wonderful responses to my posts, it made the hours of typing, very much, worth the effort! I spoke to Mum today and she swears blind that she didn't put her hand behind Michael's head! I told her the evidence was clear in the photo and she said (wait for it) "Well I don't know how it got there then." LOL!! We do, right girls??!! Ok, here's a couple of reviews for you. - The Express, January 17th 1998. Big Night Out. Edited by Tinu Majekodunmi. Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance Wembley Arena, London. Rating - Four Stars. - This has been called Riverdance with sequins, but it is far more than that. There are obvious similarities, but even greater differences. Riverdance is solidly traditional, a supposedly factual interpretation of Ireland's journey that takes in other lands and other cultures. // Lord of the Dance is a mythical odyssey into the mists of Celtic Ireland and only Celtic Ireland. It has the more coherent plot and has made tradition much, much sexier. Essentially, it is a tale of darkness, danger, desire, destiny, death and dance of good versus evil. // It is a sensational show and Flatley a consummate showman. His Irish audience is uncritical in it's adulation of the Lord of the Dance and with some reason. The flash of his silver-heeled dancing shoes confounds the eye, as befits one who has held a Guinness Book world record for tapping speed. // Much as he likes to dominate, as much as he does, Flatley has been clever enough to surround himself with first rate dancers and to allow them their share of the limelight. // Bernadette Flynn dances with fluid crystal purity as Saoirse, the Irish Colleen. The sinuous Catriona Hale is wickedly sexual as her rival, Morrighan, the Temptress. Daire Nolan as Don Dorcha, the Dark Lord, is a malevolently worthy rival to Flatley's Lord of the Dance. The Little Spirit (Helen Egan) cuts a delightfully puckish figure. Soprano Anne Buckley is in glorious voice as Erin the Goddess. // The corps is one beautiful whole, a fine collection of Irish dancers perfect in time and motion. // Among a grand orchestra, Mairead Nesbitt and Cora Smyth are simply amazing in their black leather, sequins and stiletto's, these two manic blondes must be the sexiest fiddlers in the world - including Vanessa May and the Flying Finn. // With Lord of the Dance, Michael Flatley has taken hold of Irish tradition and made it glamorous and sexy. Don't miss it. END. Now another, but this time a 'fun' one from The Sun of 17th January 1998 - Caught Live - Oh, Flats the way to do it by Ally Ross - Who'd have thought that two hours of diddly, diddly, diddly could be so much fun? If you go to Lord of the Dance expecting fiddles, long lines of dancers and Michael Flatley leaping around like he's got a pair of ferrets down his tights - you won't be disappointed. But this brilliant show, playing to sell-out crowds at Wembley Arena, has much more to offer than just that. There's awesome Gaelic singing and dancing and even Ireland's answer to the Lone Ranger jigging around in a mask. Best of all, Lord of the Dance has some seriously sexy women, including a fiddle player who could get work as Melinda messenger's stunt double. But the show really comes alive when Flatley darts into the fray in a series of outrageous costumes. He starts looking like Adam Ant, reappears as a Wham! backing singer, dabbles with Elvis in Las Vegas and finales as John Travolta in that follow up to Saturday Night Fever. In the penultimate routine he out-jigs the evil O'Lone Ranger to win the hand - or rather tongue - of the beautiful lead girl. Flatley rounds off his amazing performance with an impressive kiss with the very gorgeous Bernadette Flynn. And suddenly I realise why he's been grinning fit to burst all night. You can say what you like about Michael Flatley, but he's a great snog and dance man! END. Linda 194.168.121.125 <r.servante@virgin.net> Derby, U.K. - Tuesday, January 20, 1998 at 13:10:52 (PST)
Seen the show three times, its the most brilliant show we've ever seen. The show gets better and better, congratulations. We love and admire all your hard work and perfectionism. We'd love to meet you in person - one day perhaps! Lots of success and happiness to you. Pat and Tony tony and pat 195.147.9.84 <rock@mail.globalnet.co.uk> London, England - Tuesday, January 20, 1998 at 15:34:16 (PST)
Tuesday 20th LOTD Show - Before rushing out of the door to collect my Mother in Law Beryl to see the show I threw in a video tape to record an interview (only short one) with our beloved MF. On the way there about 6.30 I suppose this huge while stretch limo passed us. I said oh look Beryl I bet that's Michaels but I couldn't keep up with it in my old heap. More on this later. The show was brilliant we had seats on the side but quite near the front. The audience were really appreciative and Michael got his much deserved standing O. My mother in law thought the show was wonderful and said the Video just doesnt do it justice. Anyway after the show we bumped into Maria, Viv and Maryann from Norway. We managed to gate Thomas Cunningham's autograph Maria is getting to know the troupe on first name terms infact feels like one of the troupe. We didn't stand around for too long in the freezing cold as Beryl is currently not in the best of health. So when I got home I immediately wanted to view the video so the transcript of which follows thanks to Brian who typed it in on his laptop pc ---------- GS: "Our next guest did for Irish folk dance what John Cleese did for the silly walk.... I'm sitting next to arguably the most expensive legs in the world. Our next guest is of course Michael Flatley - Lord of the Dance(shakes hand) Hello Welcome." MF: "How yer doing .. good to see yer." GS: "So Wembley Arena." MF: (nods) "Yeah Wembley Arena. " GS : "Have you played it before ?" MF:"Yes we have. " GS :"Yeah ?" MF: "We did 10 shows there just last year . And we're looking to do quite a few this time , we're really excited about it it going to be great !" GS: "The Lord of the Dance what (to the unitiated) can people expect to see?" MF (giggles) "Well they won't see John Cleese I'm afraid (video , but they will probably see me doing an imitation of him." (smiles) (video clip of MF dancing Cry of the Celts shown) GS: "How different is the dancing that you're doing now to the original dance which people did way back then ?" MF: "It's more entertaining , and certainly it's been dressed for the world stage .... and people want to entertained ... And so we walk the line every night, and we do it a little bit different every night, and it goes further every night I think it's a good thing (GS: Nods) Um dancing back then was much more rigid and much more disciplined in many different ways and we follow the guidelines that were left there from hundreds of years ago." (video clip of warlords shown) GS: "So what's you're current taps per second ?" MF: "My current taps (giggles) ? Um well the record that I set in 89 was 28 taps in a second but I think I could beat that now ." GS :"Really ?" MF: "I really do, I have a good feeling about this, I might give it a whirl one of these days." GS: "Wow - Good Lord." GS: "Roy Castle ! He was big on Taps wasn't he ?" MF: "Yeah, Roy Castle actually that's a Guy that I loved and admired for so long. He actually held the world record before I broke it. He had 24 taps in a second so yeah he was the original record holder." GS: "What about the legs ? Reportedly they are insured for a quite a sum ?" MF: "They are absolutely yeah." (shot of Michaels legs) GS: "How much ?" MF: "It's 50 Million American dollars, whatever that comes out to be in pounds I'm not sure." GS: "Wow Thats 25 Million Dollars a leg !" MF: (giggles) "Yes I guess so." (Clip of warlords) GS: "Where do you see the future of this type of dance going ?" MF: "It's hard to say, I mean recently Performance Magazine rated all the top shows in the world and all the big rock bands, and LOTD came in at number one, and I'm really proud of that. Who would have thought a couple of years ago that Irish dance would be the number one show in the world." GS: (Smiles and Nods) MF: "We get fans from 5 to 85 all races all nationalities from all over the world and thats another great thing about it." (nods) GS: "Excellent, ah well good luck (now reads out show dates) ...... I understand an attempt to clinch a world record ?" MF: "That's right that's right." GS "What is that ?" MF: "Well Martin Flitton, is my tour director and they have put a number of shows on sale I understand the record is 17 or 18 or something. So I think we have 21 shows on sale now." GS: "This is at Wembley Arena." MF: "Wembley Arena." GS: "And the record currently being held by Sir Cliff Richard and you are hoping to topple that?" MF: "We'll see what happens guys we'll see what happens." GS: "Great ! - Well good luck." MF: "Thanks alot man nice meeting you (shakes hands)." GS: "And You !" (End of interview). ---------------------Just in case you wondered the late Roy Castle was a very talented all round British Entertainer who also hosted Record Breakers which Michael has appeared on. Speak to you all soon love Vanessa and Brian Vanessa 195.147.12.103 <brivan@globalnet.co.uk> Hemel Hempstead - Tuesday, January 20, 1998 at 17:05:19 (PST)
Hi Everyone! My sister took or should that be dragged me to see Lord Of The Dance on Sunday 18th at Wembley Stadium. Frankly I didn't want to go. It's really not my scene. When I grew up I was listening to punk rock so you see what sort of background I came from. However, it was just BRILLIANT!!! I want to tell everyone to go and see it, and it saddens me to think that This was probably my only chance to see Michael performing LOTD live! However, as a BIG thank you to my sister who doesn't have easy web access, but does have easier email access I have decided to start a email mailing list devoted to the great man himself. It is, of course, useless without subscribers. Please subscribe. The easiest way to subscribe is to mail me with your name and of course your email address. I can then put you on the list. Likewise if you want to unsubscribe (I hope you won't!) send me the same clearly stating that you want to leave the list. Please feel free to talk about anything related closely or even loosely to the great man. Also I'm sure I don't really need to ask you not flame people who you feel are not as well versed in the Flatley phenomenon. Frankly I'm not, I'm a new fan, but I feel I want to contribute something in whatever way I can! Thanks for reading this. Please subscribe, and be aware that the list will probably be quite quiet at first but I'm sure we can build it up into something spectacular! Pat Lynch 194.168.123.130 <patricvk.lynch@virgin.net> London, UK - Wednesday, January 21, 1998 at 03:23:00 (PST)
I've recently seen Lord of the Dance at Wembley Arena and was totally amazed at the live show. I've only seen it on video before. But there is no comparision. Everything was perfect and made for a great night. If anybody involved with the Lord Of The Dance reads this, then Thank you for giving this show to the world. Thanks Darren Darren Shilson 198.85.45.253 <darren.shilson@wago.de> Plymouth, United Kingdom - Wednesday, January 21, 1998 at 03:44:23 (PST)
I have just seen Lord of the Dance for the second time at Wembley Arena in London last thursday. I saw the show first nearly a year and a half ago when it first transferred to England after the premiere in Dublin. We took our seats in the Arena, and the atmosphere was electric, as you could feel the anticipation amongst the crowd who all clearly loved Micheal and the show. All around me were Americans, Australians and people from mainland Europe as well as people from Britain, all together forming part of the world-wide family of fans who wanted to give Michael the admiration he deserves. When he burst on to stage during Cry of the Celts there were screams with joy and applause, and the excitement didn't end until the Planet Ireland and the encore had been done. The only thing that didn't go exactly to plan, although the audience would not have noticed as there had been mesmerized by the dancing, was during the first half. During Cry of the Celts, banners with the Celtic designs drop from the roof of the stage as the dancers come on and circle around Michael. These stay there until the end of Celtic dream, the third act, when they drop to the floor and the female dancers pick them up and carry them off stage. During thursday's performance, one of the banners failed to release, and fell down onto the male dancers during the fast number Warriers. Just to show you how professional they are, they weren't even ruffled by this, and carried on dancing their hearts out. The video is so poor compared to the show in real life. The video is recorded on poor tape which you can't see most of the action. It cuts too much, and the sound is poor. I long for the day that a video that does Michale and the show justice is released. Afterwards, we waited with the crowds in the lobby of Wembley Arena, and Michael came out and signed autographs, although it was hard to talk to him due to the amount of screaming that was taking place as fans saw their hero close up. The dancers and musicians also left by this route, which was nice as we got to see the performers close up as well. My love to Michael, the performers, and the worldwide fans. JS JS 164.11.204.2 <jr-sims@csm.uwe.ac.uk> UK - Wednesday, January 21, 1998 at 06:00:39 (PST)
An absolutely fantastic performance the best thing I have ever watched! My children and I watch the video daily and I hope to take them next time. Please dont retire!! Heidi Page 195.232.22.49 <100574.2433@compuserve.com> Nuneaton, Warkshire England - Wednesday, January 21, 1998 at 06:02:53 (PST)
The show was of the most outstanding quality and discipline. A credit to all the dedication required by individuals. Fantastic ! Clive Walton 194.200.171.2 <cwalton@hof.co.uk> Swindon, England - Wednesday, January 21, 1998 at 06:40:35 (PST)
I THINK THAT THE SHOW ON THE 15TH JAN 1998 AT WEMBLEY ARENA WAS REALLY GOOD AND MICHAEL FLATLEY IS REALLY TALENTED AND I WISH HIM ALL THE LUCK IN THE FUTURE . P.S I ALSO THINK HE'S A BIT OF A BABE . MARTHA LEAVEY 194.238.50.7 ENGLAND - Thursday, January 22, 1998 at 05:17:10 (PST)
The recent show at the NIA, B'ham, 13/01/98 was spectacular to say the least. Keep up the good work. Where can I find information concerning booking tickets for the Wembley performance on March 1st 1998 ? Nick Hayward. 152.163.205.218 <NHay59@aol.com.> Walsall., England. - Thursday, January 22, 1998 at 09:23:15 (PST)
Hi guys! Recuperating from MAJOR partying right now...and no better place for this than the InternetCafe at Whitley's (right, Andrea?). After a GREAT show last night (and a freezing wait for Mufasa in the cold London night...) which was worth it though cuz Marianne from Norway got her 2nd MM, we went back to the hotel to warm up and have a drink (or 2 ) at the bar...and oh my, the place was buzzing with the entire troupe partying, as they were celebrating their 300th show! After a while ..well...guess who came in...? YYY, correct, twas our man himself. As he was there to hang out and celebrate with the troupe, we did not approach him...but still, it was GREAT!...and as for the troupe, they're the greatest bunch of people you can imagine!!! Needless to say, we were not ready for Zzzzzzzzzz until about 7 am . So, both of us hope you guys will understand that full details will be posted by us after we sort of digested all the impressions...and after we had some SLEEP after all. So, bye for now...stay tuned for pics, reports etc after we've landed ....cuz right now we're waaaaaaaaaaay up...HUGS to all, Maria and Viv Maria and Viv 194.205.70.9 <sheera_46@hotmail.com> LONDON!!! YYY!, Flatleyland - Thursday, January 22, 1998 at 09:57:44 (PST)
Congratulations Michael & everyone involved. I saw the show live and it took my breath away, now I watch the video whenever I feel low - it makes me laugh and it makes me cry! Wonderful. Joanna Fitzgerald-Gibson 194.207.0.96 <fitzgib@fastnet.co.uk> Seaford, E.Sussex, England - Thursday, January 22, 1998 at 14:49:19 (PST)
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