THE box-office sensation Lord of the Dance has exploded onto the stage at Blackpool's Opera House to the sound of rapturous applause and demands for encore after encore.

The fiery tale of love, desire and danger, in which a dark power emerges to challenge the Lord of the Dance, is vibrant, colourful and driven with an energy which has had fans on the edge of their seats across the globe.

Its opening night in the coastal resort, albeit without its creator and star - foot-tapping record-breaker Michael Flatley - proved a resounding hit, showing off the traditional Celtic dance to its full potential.

Audiences waited, almost with baited breath, for each stunning crescendo of stampeding feet as the troupe came together for dramatic spells of precision dance.

And the thunder of feet drumming in unison left a lasting and unforgettable impression.

Lord of the Dance runs at Blackpool's Opera House Winter Gardens until September 15.

Tickets are from £16, and can be booked at the Box Office (01253-292029) or online at www.blackpoollive.