IN a clever initiative, Canberra Theatre staff put out a call to the Irish dance tragics around town and held on-stage dance classes today with professional dancers from Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games” which opens tonight.

Led by company members Nikita Cassidy and Cathal Keaney, the volunteers went through some very tricky steps with varying degrees of proficiency, some complaining that they were lacking the right shoes to make the clicking sound associated with Irish dance.

One Canberra on the sidelines who had no need to worry was Conor Simpson, the gifted young dancer who, in April this year, won the gold medal at the World Irish Dance Championships in Montreal. Company manager don dancer Tom Cunningham told “CityNews” that Simpson had just successfully auditioned and would join the company for its Canberra, Queensland and Sydney seasons before heading for Broadway.

Based in dance styles rooted in a 2,000 year-old Irish  dance tradition, Flatley’s breathtaking new show  tells a tale of good versus evil, based on old Irish folklore, and a passionate love story expressed through dance.

“Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games” enjoyed a sell-out season in London’s West End last year, returning to The Dominion Theatre in March this year because of popular demand.

The show was created, directed and choreographed by Flatley, but he won’t be here. In fact, he danced for the last time at Wembley Stadium, London in July this year.

He is best-known for bringing Irish dance into the global spotlight more than 21 years ago and creating “Lord of the Dance” in 1996, since which, Flatley’s brand has become synonymous with spectacular artistry and large scale productions.

It’s all new — a new show using new technology, performing new choreography in new costumes to a new score composed by Gerard Fahy. Expect to see holographs, dancing robots, world-champion acrobats, and 34 of the best Irish dancers to be found anywhere.

“Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games”, Canberra Theatre, October 6 to 11, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.