Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance has been entertaining audiences around the world for an incredible 30 years and three decades on, this spectacular show proves it has certainly lost none of its magic.
Since opening in Dublin in 1996, Lord of the Dance has become a worldwide phenomenon, playing to more than 60 million people across 70 countries, and now the show is back with a special 30th Anniversary Tour celebrating its incredible history.
Ive seen the show in various forms over the years and I again got the pleasure of watching the show at the Liverpool Empire as part of this tour and from the moment the curtain went up, this was a fantastic night of pure entertainment.
Lord of the Dance has always been much more than simply an Irish dancing show. There is a story, fantastic music, stunning costumes and a huge amount of theatrical spectacle which makes it feel every bit as exciting today as it did when Michael Flatley first created it.
The production looks fantastic, with huge video screens creating an ever-changing backdrop alongside dramatic lighting, smoke and some brilliant staging which brings the mythical world of ‘Planet Ireland’ to life.
But without question, the stars of the show are its phenomenally talented cast.
Leading the company on opening night was Lucas Lawton as the Lord of the Dance and he was absolutely outstanding. His speed, precision and seemingly effortless movement had the Liverpool audience captivated from the start, and he received a fantastic reception throughout.
Alongside him, Evia Hayter was wonderful as the Little Spirit, while the battle between the Lord of the Dance and the sinister Don Dorcha gives the show its drama, complemented by Saoirse and the seductive Morrighan.
The sheer talent across the entire company is incredible. When the full troupe comes together and dozens of perfectly synchronised feet thunder across the Liverpool Empire stage, the sound and atmosphere is something you simply have to experience live.
There is also much more than dancing, with Cleo Griffin providing the beautiful vocals as Erin the Goddess and Niamh Leahy and Siofra Devine delivering fantastic performances on fiddle.
The finale takes things to another level, with the entire company returning for a brilliant encore which had the Liverpool audience on their feet.
Thirty years after it first took the world by storm, Lord of the Dance remains a breathtaking piece of live entertainment.
It’s energetic, spectacular, uplifting and quite simply a fantastic night out.
Verdict: Thirty years on and Lord of the Dance is still an absolute must-see!
Reviewer: Max Eden
Reviewed: 6th October 2026
North West End UK Rating: