Lord of the Screen: Irish dancing legend Michael Flatley to make first acting appearance in short film

IRISH dancing legend Michael Flatley is set to make his first on screen appearance in his new short film, A Little Bit of Tear. 

The 12 minute film was written, directed and produced by Flatley, and is set to be screened at the Los Angeles Shorts International Film Festival on August 2.

The film was previously screened at Baton Rouge Irish Film Festival on July 28.

The short features world renowned Flatley as a homeless drunken clown who entertains on the streets of Boston, but his talent falls on deaf ears.

Flatley's clown becomes smitten by a beautiful girl played by Erin-Kate Mcilravey - a principal dancer from Flatley's Lord of the Dance - and follows her into a theatre and sees the show of a lifetime that changes his world, and fortune.

The short has been billed as an 'inspirational short film that proves nothing is impossible if you follow your dreams.'

The film debut is the latest career move for Michael Flatley, who formally retired from Irish dancing in 2015.

Earlier this year, he announced he will open the 2017 Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann in Ennis, Co. Clare on Sunday, August 13.

Michael Flatley will take to the Fly Shannon stage in Abbey Street, where he will play the flute with uilleann piper and composer, Gerard Fahy, from Ballinakill, Co. Galway, who has toured extensively with Michael and his Lord of the Dance troupe and is composer of Michael's recent hit show, Dangerous Games.

Speaking ahead of the Fleadh, Michael Flatley said: "It’s 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."