Review: Lord of the Dance at Leicester's De Montfort Hall - there's no show like it ★★★★
Michael Flatley’s legendary Lord of the Dance has stomped into Leicester’s De Montfort Hall as part of its spectacular 30th-anniversary tour.
Michael Flatley’s legendary Lord of the Dance has stomped into Leicester’s De Montfort Hall as part of its spectacular 30th-anniversary tour, delivering a masterclass in high-energy Irish dance and theatrical storytelling.
Our rating: ★★★★
The Event: A rejuvenated staging of Lord of the Dance, currently touring the UK and Ireland to celebrate three decades of global success.
The Venue: De Montfort Hall, Leicester, offering the perfect backdrop for the show’s state-of-the-art production values.
The Highlights: Breathtaking syncopation, upgraded contemporary costuming, and a charismatic male lead who commands the stage.
The Verdict: A magical, high-octane triumph that leaves both casual theatergoers and dance professionals grinning from ear to ear.
Three Decades of Magic, Reimagined
First exploding onto the stage in 1996, Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance has spent the last thirty years capturing audiences worldwide. The 2026 anniversary tour arrives with the promise of fresh choreography, state-of-the-art special effects, and cutting-edge lighting. At De Montfort Hall, it didn’t just meet those expectations—it shattered them.
At its heart, the production is a powerful, timeless tale of good versus evil told entirely through movement. Thanks to the clever interplay of visual effects and distinct costuming, the emotional arc of each character is incredibly easy to follow, drawing the audience deep into its enchanting mythical world.
Effortless Precision and Blistering Speed
To say this show requires stamina is an understatement—the cast clocks in over 150,000 taps per performance. Yet, the dancers make this monumental physical feat look entirely effortless, performing with beaming smiles throughout.
As a tap dance teacher myself, I found the technical execution nothing short of joyous. The precision, lightning-fast beats, elevated kicks, and crisp heel clicks were perfectly synchronized. The contrast between the ensembles is beautifully balanced: the female dancers offer light, delicate, and breathtaking jigs, while the male dancers bring raw power to the step choreography. A standout mention must go to the male lead, whose sheer charisma and showmanship anchors the entire production.
The choreography also flirts wonderfully with modern influences. A particular highlight is the dance of Morrighan the Temptress, which brilliantly fuses traditional Celtic movement with a contemporary Middle Eastern flair.
A Modern Wardrobe for a Classic Show
The anniversary tour brings a sleek, updated look to the classic production. The villainous Warlords have received a tactical warrior-style upgrade, making them look far more imposing on stage.
Meanwhile, the women’s wardrobe transitions seamlessly from lush velvet dresses adorned with heavily embroidered Celtic patterns to modern, flirty cropped tops, short skirts, and glittering Lycra catsuits. The aesthetic evolution extends to the styling, too; the traditional uniform ringlets of the past have been replaced with natural, long, flowing hair. As the dancers spin, their hair flows fluidly, giving them an almost angelic appearance during the softer, lyrical numbers.
The Verdict
Every movement in this production feels precise, purposeful, and dedicated to pushing the narrative forward. When you stop to consider just how young this cast is, their level of professionalism, capability, and maturity is staggering. Lord of the Dance remains an absolute powerhouse of theatrical dance, and this anniversary tour proves it still has plenty of fire left in its boots.
Lord of the Dance is currently touring the UK and Ireland.
Visit https://lordofthedance.com for tickets
For more shows at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall, visit https://demontforthall.co.uk