Lord of the Dance show 'will go on' as Flatley obtains emergency injunction

Lord of the Dance creator Michael Flatley has obtained an emergency injunction to stop any alleged interference with a planned 30th anniversary show at the 3Arena in Dublin.

Lawyers for the star obtained the temporary order at the High Court in Belfast amid reports that Thursday night's performance had been cancelled due to an ongoing legal dispute.

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

BBC News NI contacted the 3Arena on Tuesday and they said Thursday's show was "still going ahead".

Switzer Consulting Ltd 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.

With Flatley pursuing a counter claim against Switzer, a trial in the case is expected to take place later this year.

But his lawyers returned to court on Tuesday afternoon following claims that the Lord of the Dance performance due to take place at Dublin's 3Arena had been called off with immediate effect.

It was reported that the decision had been taken because the ongoing commercial and legal dispute could not be resolved in the available time frame.

A spokesman for Flatley described the move as "outrageous" and insisted "the show must go on and it will go on".

An emergency injunction was sought to prevent any interference with the planned running of the production.

The application also related to handing over any required sets or costumes.

Mr Justice Simpson agreed to make an interim order ahead of a further hearing where Switzer's legal representatives will be able to make submissions.

Earlier on Tuesday it was disclosed that Mr Flatley has now formally terminated his contract with the firm over staging Lord of the Dance.

The developments came in a wider lawsuit initially taken by Switzer amid disputed allegations about his financial affairs.

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

Mr Justice Simpson was told the attacks on the dancer's character and ability to run a business had nothing to do with the case.

Solicitors for Switzer have been contacted for comment.

Flatley, who was born in Chicago to Irish parents, is the co-creator and former star of Riverdance, which originated as an interval act during the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994.

After Eurovision, Riverdance was transformed into an arena tour.

Several years later Flatley developed his own show, Lord of the Dance.

Best-known for bringing Irish dancing to an international audience, the Irish-American hung up his dancing shoes in 2016.

He was treated for a malignant melanoma in 2003, according to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, external. In January 2023, he underwent surgery after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.