Ahead of the performance in Zagreb, the dispute over the famous dance spectacle has been resolved

Irish dancer and producer Michael Flatley announced that he has regained control over the music used in the show Lord of the Dance, after his billionaire partners’ company paid a seven-figure sum for the rights acquisition.

The announcement came just hours before the start of a new performance of the tour in Zagreb and pertains to the resolution of part of the dispute with former business partners. The acquisition was carried out by Shawdale Holdings, owned by construction entrepreneur Maurice Regan and developer Luke Comer.

This is the latest development in the long-standing legal conflict between Flatley and the consulting firm Switzer Consulting, which was engaged to manage the tour. According to a statement from his lawyers, Switzer has been ordered to immediately cease using the disputed music.

At the same time, the High Court in Belfast earlier this week prohibited Switzer from interfering with the tour marking the 30th anniversary of the show, including influencing performers, production, and rights management.

The court proceedings also revealed the financial background of the relationship between Flatley and the music company Cutting Edge, associated with producer Philip Moross. According to an earlier agreement from 2024, Moross was owed £2.9 million (approximately €3.35 million), which was to be repaid from half of the royalties from the show. By the beginning of this year, less than €500,000 had been repaid.

With the new arrangement, Shawdale Holdings has taken over all rights held by Cutting Edge, with full settlement of all financial obligations. Thus, it is stated, Flatley no longer has any debts to that party.

The statement also notes that the new ownership structure has already initiated legal steps against unauthorized use of music rights, including sending official warnings to all parties involved.

Regan and Comer have previously financially supported Flatley. Early last year, they lent him around €7 million to prevent the loss of his residence Castlehyde, while at the beginning of this year, they secured an additional half a million euros for the legal battle regarding the tour.

Both investors come from the real estate and construction sectors. Regan is the founder of New York construction giant JT Magen, while Comer has built a multi-billion real estate empire in Europe, America, and Africa.

With this move, Flatley consolidates control over one of his most valuable business segments at a time when the tour is once again visiting European markets.