Flatley to receive new stage and costumes to ensure show goes ahead

Lord of the Dance creator Michael Flatley is to be provided with a new stage set and costumes to ensure a planned anniversary show goes ahead in Dublin, the High Court in Belfast has heard.

The equipment will be made available to the star as part of undertakings aimed at preventing the cancellation of Thursday night's 30th anniversary performance.

Flatley is locked in a battle with entertainment company Switzer Consulting Ltd over control of the multi-million pound stage show.

The firm claims Flatley has breached a July 2024 service agreement for it to oversee the touring operation.

Last week a judge lifted an interim ban on the 67-year-old Irish dancer and choreographer being involved in forthcoming shows.

His legal team were in court on Tuesday to obtain an emergency order to stop any interference with the performance at Dublin's 3Arena.

The move followed reports of it being called off with immediate effect due to the ongoing legal dispute.

Counsel for Flatley, David Dunlop KC, announced in court on Wednesday that an agreement had been reached.

As part of a series of undertakings, Switzer is not to interfere with or issue any press statements which would prevent Flatley from making use of the intellectual property and rights to Lord of the Dance.

The new stage and costumes are to be made available to the show's creator by 17:00 GMT on Wednesday.

In return, Flatley has pledged not to damage or tamper with any of the equipment while in his possession.

The set and costumes will then be made available again for collection on Friday.

Mr Justice Simpson agreed to discharge the emergency injunction based on those agreements.

The latest developments form part of wider proceedings initially taken by Switzer amid allegations about Flatley's financial affairs.

He has now formally terminated the 2024 service agreement at the centre of the legal row and brought a counter action.

The company claimed he had put the 268 performances of Lord of the Dance, booked across Europe and North America, in jeopardy.

The court had also previously heard Flatley had received nearly £430,000 in royalties during a 15-month period, since the deal was signed.

But the arrangement began to break down when he "went on a solo run" towards the end of 2025.

This was in a bid to restructure what had been set up, it was contended.

Further concerns were raised that another businessman who holds rights to music featured in the show could pull the plug on shows if there is any default on repayments of nearly $3m (£2.2m) owed to him.

A letter sent by Flatley's former financial adviser, examined during the hearing, alleged he has a history of running tours at a loss and liquidating companies.

The letter stated: "Many promoters were reluctant to deal with Michael directly as he has an industry-wide reputation for not paying his bills."

It was also claimed that Flatley has feigned ignorance or a lack of understanding to avoid debt obligations.

The financial adviser stated that he has used other people's money to maintain a false display of wealth.

"Since 2019 Michael has lived the lifestyle of a Monaco millionaire without the funds to do so," the letter alleged.

"In the bluntest terms he was faking it on a multi-million euro scale."