Former superstar of Irish dance Michael Flatley has made a career change and is gearing up to become an actor on the big screen.
Flatley retired from Irish dancing in 2016 after playing his final ever show at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.
Since his retirement from the stage, the Chicago born star has taken a step away from the spotlight and focused on teaching the next generation of Irish dancers.
He opened his first academy in London last year and has also worked behind the scenes on the 2016 production ‘Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games’.
Now he has decided to get back into the entertainment game himself. After two decades of wear and tear on his body he has swapped the stage for the screen.
He will play the lead role in the short film ‘A Little Bit of Tear’. The 58-year-old also wrote and produced the film – which will see him star as a drunken, homeless, street performing clown.
The 12-minute film has been selected for the Los Angeles Shorts International Film Festival.
He has remained true to his Irish dance roots and the film features Riverdance star Erin-Kate McIlravey.
Fans in Ireland will also be able to catch Flatley as he shows yet another string to his bow on August 13. He is set to play the flute at the opening of the Fleadh Ceoil in Co Clare.
Flatley said: “It is a great honour to be asked to open this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis.
“It is such a great home of traditional music and a place I have very fond memories of, including winning the All-Ireland there many years ago.
“It is vitally important for all of us to nurture young talent and to encourage young people today to play Irish music.
“I’m really looking forward to it and am sure it will be a huge success.”
A Little Bit of Tear follows the fortunes of Flatley’s drunken clown as he sees a beautiful woman and follows her into a theatre – where he has a life changing experience.
It was first screened at Louisiana’s Baton Rouge Irish Film Festival.
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Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling