Michael Flatley beats legal bid to block future Lord Of The Dance involvement

The case which sought to block Lord of The Dance creator Michael Flatley's involvement in any future productions of the show has been dismissed.

The legal bid, made by production company Switzer Consulting against Flatley, argued the American-Irish choreographer should be banned from working on any upcoming Lord Of The Dance shows. He created the Irish dance production in 1996, following the success of his choreographed 1994 Eurovision Act Riverdance.

Flatley appeared in a Belfast court yesterday to dispute Switzer Consulting's sought-after permanant injunction. The production company has been in charge of the show since July 2024, and also seek to sue the choreographer for copyright.

Switzer Consulting argued Flatley was unfit to be involved in the production any further, due to his reputation of allegedly evading bills and show costs. A lawyer for the company cited a 2019 email from a former business advisor to the performer, stating Flatley had lived the life of a "Monaco Millionaire".

It said the choreographer had maintained "a facade of wealth using other people's monies" and alleged he had been "faking it on a multi-million euro scale". Referencing instances in which Flatley had borrowed €75,000 for his birthday party and €50,000 to join a Monaco yacht club.

Flatley's lawyer read an email from the advisor sent in September 2024, which stated Flatley owned 100% of the rights to Lord Of The Dance. 

The judge decided to dismiss the bid to ban Flatley in the Chancery Court.

"I'd just like to say thank God, I’m delighted with the judge’s decision today," says Flatley.

Lord Of The Dance will celebrate it's 30th anniversary with a show at the 3Arena in Dublin next Thursday, February 5, with tickets available here. Flatley spoke on the anniversary in an October interview with Hot Press.