There are moments in showbiz when time seems to stand still. When art, movement, music and story collide with pure exhilaration. That’s exactly what unfolded at Pretoria’s SunBet Arena when Lord of the Dance: A Lifetime of Standing Ovations took to the stage – a dazzling reminder that some legends don’t fade, they evolve.
This wasn’t just another touring production. It was Michael Flatley’s enduring legacy brought to life through a cast of extraordinary dancers, breathtaking production design and a story so simple and universal it transcends borders – good versus evil, light against dark, hope restored by the courage to dream.
A Legacy in Motion
Flatley may no longer be the one hammering the stage with impossible speed, but his fingerprint is everywhere. His appearance on screen was a tender and triumphant moment – a bridge between past and present.
Taking up the mantle in Pretoria was the formidable Macaulay Selwood as The Lord, all charisma and commanding precision, squaring off against Zoltan Papp’s smouldering Dark Lord. Add to this the ethereal Cassidy Ludwig as the Spirit, Tiernagh Canning’s graceful Saoirse and Andrea Papp-Kren’s fiery Morrighan and suddenly the stage became a kaleidoscope of character and emotion.
Feet of Flames
What continues to astound about Lord of the Dance is not only the speed and precision of the dancers’ footwork, but the way it tells the story as powerfully as words or lyrics ever could. It’s dance as language, rhythm as plot. There were moments when the sheer velocity of the ensemble felt as though the cast were skating on the edge of gravity.
This relentless energy was framed by spectacular visual design. One moment we were in an enchanted forest, the next surrounded by molten lava or swept into dreamscapes of fire and light. Video projections, sweeping spotlights and gleaming costumes combined to make the stage both mythic and cinematic.
The Sound of Spirit
The heart of Lord of the Dance has always been its music and this revival was no exception. Gerard Fahy’s score soared, pulsing with Celtic vigour, layered with live vocals by Celyn Cartwright and electrifying fiddle solos.
Behind the Curtain: The Cast Speaks
Ahead of the performance, I had the chance to join a cast meet and greet. Their reflections offered a glimpse into what fuels the fire of this phenomenon.
I asked about audiences here in South Africa and how they compare to crowds overseas. Selwood smiled, recalling their first Cape Town performance.
“I’ve been here a couple of times in South Africa, but the last time was in 2018. I remember the very first time we performed in Cape Town. Just a couple of minutes in, the crowd just went crazy. I thought, wow, that was unbelievable. I’d completely forgotten how amazing the crowds in South Africa are.”
There’s something affirming about hearing international performers recognise what locals already know – South African audiences bring a particular kind of joy, energy and electricity to a live experience.
And when asked what it feels like to be part of not just a show, but a cultural phenomenon, the response was instant and heartfelt.
“It’s an absolute privilege. A dream come true for all of us in the cast. We all wanted to be in the show and the fact that we’re still in it 30 years later and next year is the 30th anniversary. It’s just crazy that it’s been going so long.”
Their words underline what the production itself proves night after night. Lord of the Dance is bigger than a performance, it’s a movement.
I walked into the SunBet Arena expecting spectacle. I walked out reminded of the power of performance to stir, to thrill and to unite. Lord of the Dance: A Lifetime of Standing Ovations is not just a show – it’s a celebration.