Michael Flatley: Celtic #TIGERBLOOD

A one-time boxer, a world record breaker and suspected narcissist, its hard not to be intrigued by Michael Flatley. American born but Ireland-inspired, Flatley has devoted his life to translating Irish dance to a universal audience. Riverdance clattered into the world on the 1994 Eurovision contest presenting a happy Flatley in a parcel of billowing blue satin. It marked the roar of the celtic tiger and the dawn of a cultural obsession. Flatley even got a shout out on FRIENDS as Chandler’s biggest fear-“his legs flail around as if independent from his body!” He had a point.

Flatley’s football stadium filling show LORD OF THE DANCE is a blur of lovely lady legs, duelling fiddles and misinformed Irish folklore. So how do you showcase such a strange phenomena? Why, a 3D film of course. Concert-film director Marcus Viner teamed up with Flatley to create LORD OF THE DANCE 3D, a film which captures his ‘homecoming’ show in Dublin through over 20 different camera angles. We here at THN couldn’t resist-we had to meet the flailing enigma. At the film’s London premier, I used my paddywhackering powers to lure him in…and I have to say, the faux-oirishman lays on the charm like a skilled brickie:

Flatley: Hey you’re from Sligo (gives me a double-handed handshake), ah for gods sake good to see you, yeah up Sligo!

THN: Congratulations on the film and the show, what an achievement, I noticed that the film is quite inspired by Irish folkore is that a passion of yours?

Well..Ireland is, I love Ireland, its in my heart its in my soul, my family’s been Irish for hundreds of years and its going to be all over that show, naturally.

THN: Do you consider yourself more Irish than American these days?

Flatley: You know I never think about that,I am both. I was born in the States but I am Irish. So I never really question which is which.

THN: As someone who is quite representative of the rise of the Celtic Tiger, how do you feel about the hard times the country has fallen on?

Flatley: Well listen we been through tough times before, it’s not going to keep us down long. It might seem a little tough over there now and granted it is tough but money’s never been our god so I have every confidence that we’ll come out of it smelling like roses.

THN: How do you feel about seeing yourself in 3D?

Flatley: I try not to look at myself but the rest of the show is great.

THN: Do you think 3D will bring dance to a new generation?

Flatley: I think it will, I am confident that people who see it will enjoy it. It’s fun its uplifting and its full of great talent.

THN: How do you feel about the many Michael Flatley parodies that have appeared in the media over the years-like Britain’s Got Talent’s Stavros Flatley?

Flatley: It’s wonderful. For me Starvos are particularly great because what a wonderful father son relationship they have. We could all learn a little bit from those people, we invite them to all our shows, I think the world of them, they’re lovely.

THN: Do you ever worry about physical burn out?
Flatley: No.never think about it, focus on the positive, nothing is impossible.

THN: Has your past as a boxer given you the fighting spirit?
Flatley: Absolutely, that’s exactly right.

THN: Do you think your son (Michael St. James) will follow in your footsteps?
Flatley: I don’t know, hopefully, he’ll do a lot better than me.

THN: Lovely speaking to you Michael

Flatley: You too darling, up sligo!

LORD OF THE DANCE 3D is in cinemas now.