THRILLER Live

Born out of The Annual Michael Jackson Celebration which started in 1991, when 1000 fans from across the UK descended on London's Hammersmith Palais for a party and concert for the King of Pop, Thriller is Executive Director Adrian Grant’s culmination of the gradual development of this celebration, which, after teaming up with Paul Walden’s Flying Music, BB group and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions after 2007, eventually grew to become a successful tour production. Since then it has toured internationally and seen the collaboration of a large creative team including Director/Choreographer Gary Lloyd and some of famous routines inspired by the great LaVelle Smith Jr. 

Mounted on a colourful set with plenty of eye-popping CG visuals and a zappy, effective sound design by Chris Whybrow, the cast of artists from UK, Australia and the US all exuberantly bumped and grinded their way through MJ’s famous hits accompanied by Musical Supervisor John Maher’s band and well-arranged backing tracks. There were even some hot guitar solos to spruce up the action and enough pace, presentation and audience participation to see even your great-great grandma jiving in the aisles, with or without a hip-replacement.

Tracing the early years of the Jackson Brothers, including the all-essential influences of the Motown era, the show finished on a high by incorporating excerpts from MJ's big seller Thriller and a fabulous impersonation by Austyn Farrell of MJ's famous Billie Jean song-and-dance routine. The audience were mesmerised. 

Despite some good vocals, particularly from Australia’s Prinnie Stevens and Mig Ayesa, and charismatic choreographic routines capturing the flavour of the era, it was a shame to see a lack of technique and finesse in some of the dancing, particularly with this show, and in view of the availability of excellent performing arts institutions worldwide. Still, the concept of the show does reflect US street-life with its varied combination of personalities and shapes and sizes - there was even the buffoon/joker in the pack -  so one can at least grant artistic licence with the availability of such a good vehicle for all those ambitious performers out there yearning to be in the spotlight.

Notwithstanding MJ’s troubled years of unwanted media attention, he still recorded a sensational selection of fabulous songs, was surrounded by some of greats in the music business and was quite a unique and enigmatic performer in his own right. Thriller is a fitting tribute to his musical legacy and shouldn't disappoint his fans.

Brian Adamson