Michael Flatley: "I’ll prove that I own 'Lord of the Dance'"

The dancer’s legal team told the High Court in Belfast that he can take complete control of Switzer Consulting Ltd – if he can track down a key document proving his "100%" ownership.

It comes as Switzer moves to reassure audiences that the 30th-anniversary "Lord Of The Dance" tour, which opens in Dublin on February 5, will go on despite the legal battle.

Earlier this month, Mr. Flatley was blocked from having any involvement in the tour following a successful temporary injunction by the Northern Ireland-based company.

The firm accused the Monaco-based dancer and choreographer of trying to "hijack" the highly successful "Lord Of The Dance" tour in order to strip it of cash to fund his debts and personal lifestyle.

Last week, Mr. Flatley’s barrister responded that the shows are in grave danger of "falling apart" unless he can overturn an injunction preventing him from speaking to the cast.

In a sworn statement opened to the court yesterday, Mr. Flatley said: "As matters stand, Switzer has issued proceedings against me, even though I directly or indirectly hold 100% of the beneficial interest in Switzer."

He stated: "Switzer is nothing more than a services company retained by me to provide certain services on my behalf."

He said that he had granted Switzer a 60-month licence to the rights to Lord Of The Dance, and would be paid between £35,000 (€40,000) and £40,000 (€46,000) a month to run the tour, to a maximum of £2.275million (€2.61million).

He alleged that it had "wholly failed" to provide most of the services expected, and said its "recent actions have cut across the effective and successful marketing and production" of the shows.

Mr. Flatley said Switzer had no right to the royalties from the show, adding that he was also concerned that the company had become insolvent. He also said it was completely incorrect for Switzer to claim that he had ever asked promoter Peter Aiken to divert funds directly to him.

"I have been seeking to ensure the success of the 'Lord Of The Dance' shows and proposed tour," he said. "I do not accept that Switzer is entitled to seize control over 'Lord Of The Dance' and operate the shows and seek to divert profits and funds to itself."

Mr. Flatley said that if he was barred from being involved in the production of the Dublin premiere of the show, this would negatively impact on sales for the world tour, "as people associate the show with me".

He said he oversaw the production, engaged with creative directors on lighting, composition, and the set, and would ensure the cast delivered their best possible performances.

"The show has my name in the title. It is my role to ensure that I deliver the greatest show I can," he said.

However, Mr. Flatley said he had never been given a signed copy of a deed of trust, which would prove his ownership of Switzer. He said he had requested this deed from Switzer on several occasions.

He also said that he had discovered that an alleged 2024 transfer of the shares in Switzer to him was never reflected in Companies House records.

Gary McHugh, barrister for Switzer, told the court he had just become aware of the issues raised about the deed of trust.

"Mr. Flatley must have a copy of it himself, or if he has lost it, presumably he had lawyers when it was created, and they may have a copy of it," he said.

Judge Gerald Simpson said a copy of the document must be provided by Switzer for scrutiny by Mr. Flatley’s legal team. He adjourned the case until next week, saying that if Mr. Flatley was correct about the contents of the document, it would be a "fundamental matter for the court".

Outside court yesterday, Switzer issued a statement to confirm that the upcoming performance of "Lord Of The Dance" at Dublin’s 3Arena on February 5 "will proceed".

It said the tour "has been operated by a highly skilled and experienced team of professional cast and crew who continue to successfully present this world-class production to audiences around the globe."

"The production’s artistic leadership is overseen by the creative director and chief choreographer, the youngest and longest-serving Lord in the history of 'Lord Of The Dance', who travels with and works directly with the cast throughout rehearsals and international touring," it continued.

The statement added: "While Mr. Flatley may attend the occasional performance, his presence or absence has had, and will continue to have, no impact on the operation or delivery of upcoming shows.

"Whilst we are always delighted to see Mr. Flatley at the shows, the reality is he has had no involvement in the operation of 'Lord Of The Dance' for a considerable period of time, and the production travels and operates independently of him.

"Most recently, the show has successfully toured South Africa, Australia, Taiwan, France, Belgium, Holland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, and Germany… Switzer Consulting has successfully managed several international tours, comprising in excess of 140 performances, delivering 'Lord Of The Dance' to audiences across multiple global markets, demonstrating its proven capability in managing and operating Lord Of The Dance at an international level."

The company concluded: "We look forward to welcoming all 'Lord Of The Dance' fans to Dublin for what promises to be an unforgettable evening."

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie. Additional reporting by David O’Dornan.