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Michael Seaver is an Irish-based writer on dance, politics and culture. He is dance critic with The Irish Times and Irish correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor newspaper in Boston. He has also written for newspapers, journals, magazines and encyclopedia in Europe and the United States. In addition to his writing, Michael is principal clarinettist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and a member of the Haenjo Trio in Dublin, where he lives with his wife and daughter.

Where the Tiger is live and kicking

Published in The Irish Times

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‘I’VE GOT THE biggest TV screen in the world – 72 tons – at the back of the stage. Imagine being at the premiere of a new movie, except in front of the screen you’ve got arguably the best dance troupe on earth, a lighting show that rivals Pink Floyd, $3 million worth of costumes, the best sound effects and a musical score by Ronan Hardiman that’s like an Irish rock concert.”

This is how Michael Flatley described his €16 million show, Celtic Tiger, to the American media in 2005. But four years later the show’s website lies un-updated, with broken links, out-of-date press contacts and no future tours listed. If the disappearance of Celtic Tiger ’s lavish excesses mirrors those of the eponymous economic boom, then are the good times over for the Irish dance spectacular?

If the size of venue is an indication then the answer is yes. Lord of the Dance and Riverdance no longer play in the Point (now the O2), but in the more intimate Helix and Gaiety theatres respectively, both with a little more than 1,000 seats. Riverdance ’s Gaiety season might last several weeks, but it is mainly fed by a tourist audience. Locals may be tiring of Irish dance shows, but further afield they are thriving and their longevity looks assured with new markets in the Far East.

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Forthcoming writing includes challenges to the GAA (Christian Science Monitor) and a new dance performance for older people (The Irish Times)