RARE Lord of the Dance Video: Thunder and Lightning (Full) (2000)

Fun fact: there are only two ways to have seen this -- either live in person during the Feet of Flames World Tour, or via the "Gold" video. This is one of the rarer Lord of the Dance videos, capturing a show-stopping moment from Michael Flatley's Feet of Flames.
/ michaelflatley
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The Feet of Flames World Tour is an interesting chapter in the 24-year history of Lord of the Dance. It was Michael Flatley's first return to the stage after a year off, and along with Dangerous Games, it is the greatest deviation from the original iteration of the show, with a very different soundtrack, different rhythm patterns, a modified plot (the Little Spirit / Court Jester is now in danger of execution), and entirely new numbers like this one. Even one of the show's signature numbers, Cry of the Celts, is completely replaced with a new number: Firedance.
Thunder and Lightning is an interesting number because it's an all-girls hardshoe number, and it represents a more direct conflict between Saoirse and Morrighan. In every other version of Lord of the Dance, the two female leads only briefly come into conflict in the first act; here, that conflict is dramatically scaled up.
Michael Flatley has frequently said that you have to keep evolving and changing; if you stagnate, you die. It would have been the easiest thing in the world to calcify the show right up front in 1996 and never risk changing a thing, passing off the same exact show decades later with only the occasional (and incidental) cosmetic change. That's the easy way out. That's the safe choice.
Instead, if you look at Michael's oeuvre as a creative artist, you see a portrait of a genius who's constantly painting new pictures -- either varying explorations of themes, or entirely new concepts. Celtic Tiger is a perfect illustration of this. Dangerous Games is another example. And so is Feet of Flames 2000.
This creates a certain urgency to Michael's work: each time there's a new show, it contains new gems that may only exist within that iteration, perhaps never to be seen live onstage again.
Thus, let's enjoy a look back at a fan favorite from the turn of the millennium: Thunder and Lightning.
#FollowYourDream

[@teresafries56]

Love this....Have watched Lord of the Dance since the very beginning but never saw this dance....wish this whole show came out in video....Nothing better

[@vncnt274]

as the description says, you can watch it on the "Gold" video. you can buy a whole collection of LotD on dvd, i have one myself. didnt watch the gold though, but i suppose the description doesnt lie

[@sbidavideobank7457]

😊a aww a

[@Kelly-xw5ns]

It's amazing captaincy was on my bucket list it's amazing with those heavy heavy shoes

[@massabielle2821]

Each step in perfect synch! Tremendous!

[@cynthiafletcher9845]

The dancers are so talented and well rehearsed. Thanks!! C❤❤

[@ELY359]

Absolutely spectacular dancing here. I wish the music was available to purchase.

[@busternuck]

I bought the FoF DVD that came with Gold. I particularly love this music but don't see it appear in other shows - which also leads to this point - you cannot discount the immense impact that Ron Hardiman's music gave to all the shows.

[@keithstarkey5584]

Oh, my gosh, Hardiman's music was as magical, enchanting and so perfectly fit for the show that I am convinced without it the show would have lacked. Hardiman's music, particularly in the early years, was just breath taking.

[@lindseyroberts5004]

Red and black is my favourite colours to wear,incredibly talented dancers that are simply amazing ❤❤❤

[@KevvyBoyy]

I wish Lord of the Dance still toured with a live orchestra.

[@lisaviskari7387]

I will forever love watching my Flatley he just had it gave me goosebumps the whole show is so amazing just love love it

[@SuperLocodeatar]

the music is beautiful

[@ysoldeclaireduffy7344]

Just as it should be,,pure perfection and fun

[@cathymollard8751]

Feet of flames...fire dance! With Michael could watch over and over!

[@user-gg1ot3yk4f]

Браво!

[@user-xu9bo4yk9c]

Девчата вы лучшие👍👏👏👏

[@jolenemurray4929]

Like this dance

[@user-pb8he7bz9m]

Totally awesome!!! Way to go Ladies!!❤🦄🍀❤️💚

[@SuperLocodeatar]

I watched on youtube about 5 years ago

[@laurasisson1121]

There is a 30 min clip of Feet of Flames 2000 Budapest. This is on there.

[@nurlan_777oinarov5]

Super Bravo

[@eleonorapalinkas4744]

BRAVO !!!!🥇🥇🥇👐👐👐

[@sarahdangelo4044]

Anyway to release the music for this?? Love it!!!

[@rushanausmonova2818]

Master klass super! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌🌸🌷🌹

[@marilyndefrates3494]

super loved it.

[@jozsefnevass8935]

Szuper jól táncoltok eszméletlenul jooó❤🥰❤️‍🔥💯💣

[@stellathacker290]

When Will Lord of the dance coming to Kansas City Missouri again?

[@dragonflight_skz]

The lady dancing Saoirse is like a sunshine!

[@serenadonnet8169]

Le génie de Michael est là dans sa troupe mais lui me manque et oui les années ont passé pour lui aussi comme pour moi mais son génie est parmi nous 🇨🇭💕💕🕺

[@user-oy2jy5gs4q]

Хороши чертовки.

[@user-mt2tf9zv9c]

which group is which element?

[@chloemarin1424]

Belle prestation dommage qu il n y a pas de mecs 🎶🎻👏👏

[@corinneh1403]

🇨🇵❤❤❤ j'adore.

[@EnginOguzer]

🎶👭🎶

[@brianmckenna4052]

Who is the blonde girl

[@isabelgirau2678]

Isn't it nice? 🙂

[@nickvargas5846]

2:24

[@user-kl3mr8xb8j]

Не могу насладиться

[@user-kl3mr8xb8j]

Класс. А почему русские не танцуют такие танцы, это же круто

[@J.Clig10]

👏👏👏👏 🍀👣 🇺🇸 🏳️ 😉

[@pusstatmine1]

How do they maintain their hygiene?

[@user-kl3mr8xb8j]

Всё таки девушка в белом круче

[@kerryslater8578]

Supberb

[@irinarudnev3188]

I wish I never saw this. After all the genius, beautiful previous choreography, music and decent feminine costumes. This looks and feels like a bordello dance.

[@jocelynharris-fx8ho]

I agree. After seeing the beauty, class, tastefulness and sophistication of Riverdance. It's hard to believe that this same man put together shows that were sleazy and sexually explicit. As time went on, it got worse. Almost like he threw together these shows in a desperate bid to keep his popularity going.😮 Desperation caused his creative juices to go sour. I'm glad he's now retired and other shows were created, ( not by him), that get back to the beauty of Ireland and it's musical and dance roots.

[@user-kl3mr8xb8j]

Извиняюсь, белый лебедь круче

[@user-fi8xf3hh7g]

Ну топают. Понятно. А зачем они сами себя пинают?

[@luckyann4300]

I really hope that the person who did the make-up for these girls is burning in hell. I mean, seriously? All of them are beautiful women and they have to ruin it by that? I would do a better job and I don't even use make-up.

[@massabielle2821]

Each step in perfect synch! Tremendous!