REVIEWS

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REVIEWS - WEST END SHOW

It's not a show, or a musical, it's a concert. But as a concert it's very good theatre, a total blast in fact, and a salutary reminder that Michael Jackson's music is an important segment in the sequence from blues, jazz and Motown to rap and disco. It's the history of modern pop music, and it's the music the modern musical theatre forgot about.

Thriller Live comes with an almost repulsive set of recommendations in the programme from its own producers – " a wonderful man who has inspired me," that sort of horse manure – and of course there is no mention of Jackson's facelifts, weird obsession with Elizabeth Taylor, nor his strange home-based kindergarten that led to a series of court cases.

But the man's talent is the point, and there's not a song that you don't want to bask in as they roll off the stage in this wonderful show, covering all the great Jackson albums and ending with "Thriller", which spent thirty-seven weeks at the top of the charts and defined an era of social body-popping for those times.

Call me cheap, or call me common (I've been called a lot worse, including a taxi), but I much prefer this sort of honest up-and-at-you musical celebration of great pop and blues/rock music to the narcissistic indulgence of something like the current revival of Oliver! Every song here is better than, or at least as good as, anything Lionel Bart ever wrote, and Gary Lloyd's production frames them all in a nimbus of notable nostalgia.

There is a narrative thread to the first half, in the emergence of the Jackson Five, hot-gospelling and hand-jiving their way to prominence, and the second half sags into some awful soft-centred political knee-jerk stuff about the legacy of JFK, Nelson Mandela and now Barack Obama. But the staging of the musical numbers, vivid light show and constant brilliance of the musical playing in John Maher's band keep us riveted.

The star of the show is little Kieran Alleyne as the young Jackson, and he is superbly supported by the absolutely wonderful Denise Pearson – lead vocalist of Five Star; who the hell were they? – who seems to morph into Michael in her soprano moments, the bulky and skilful tenor Roger Wright and the excellent trio of Ricko Baird as the ultimate titfer-tipping, slide-walking MJ, and Ben Foster and John Moabi as his ideal interpreters.

Michael Coveney, WhatsOnStage.com

Thriller Live is a concert-style show that celebrates the work of legendary performer Michael Jackson. This musical anthology begins with Jackson’s early years as a teen sensation belting out ABC with his brothers and sisters to his breakthrough solo album Off the Wall and beyond. Those looking for history of Jackson’s personal life should look elsewhere as this theatrical extravaganza is a breathtaking celebration of a musician whose work spans over three decades.

Jackson’s vocals are provided by six very different singers who all bring a certain magic to each instantly recognisable hit. Kieran Alleyne plays the bundle of energy that led the Jackson Five in a strikingly accurate vocalisation for hits such as I Want You Back and the delightful Ben. Ben Foster, John Moabi and Roger Wright help fill in the middle years and hits such as Blame It On The Boogie and Rock With You, while US performer Ricko Baird brings to the stage some of the classic choreography that epitomises Jackson’s Thriller and Bad period.

Perhaps the greatest discovery of the evening is Denise Pearson, who marries a sassy, shapely stage persona to some of Jackson’s best loved tracks, producing something as exquisite as her rendition of The Way You Make Me Feel.

This is very much an ensemble company and the dance team here deserve a special mention. The choreography paints as lively and informative a picture of the changing decades as do Jackson’s songs, and some of the set pieces, particularly the Billie Jean/Thriller/Bad set are, quite literally, thrilling.

Jonathan Park’s set design and Nigel Catmur’s lighting are complimented by LED screens creating some wonderful theatrical set pieces that are simple and yet remarkably effective.

Paul Vale, The Stage

Thriller Live doesn't claim to be the musical based on the songs of Michael Jackson. It has no more pretension than to being a live concert of Michael Jackson's music.

What Thriller Live does offer is a high energy and very visual show with most of Michael Jackson's famous repertoire of songs and some explosive choreography. The songs start with a re-creation of the Jackson Five, back to the psychedelic days of the late 1960s with big Afro hair and wide flared, shiny trousers, the group featuring a boy as the Young Michael (Kieran Alleyne, Sterling Williams, Layton Williams, Ashton Russell). The opening number is "Music and Me"

Four main singers take over from the Jackson Five to sing Michael Jackson's solo repertoire recordings from 1971: a disparate quartet, they are a black girl, a white man, a tall black man and a black South African. None of them looks like Michael Jackson but they all have powerful voices. Denise Pearson is an English singer and song writer who was the lead vocalist in the group "Five Star" with her four siblings from 1983 to 2006 when the group disbanded. She has a sassy stage presence and her first number "I'll Be There" is sung with supreme confidence. I've just played the You Tube recording of Michael Jackson singing "I'll Be There" acapella and it sends the shivers down your spine. Of course with the benefit of hindsight we can see that this tremendous talent encroaches on Michael Jackson's opportunity to be a child.

Digitised screens at the rear of the stage project headlines and photos of Jackson's career as spotlights bathe the auditorium in coloured light and psychedelic patterns swirl in pinks, reds and blues. The screens or the narrator tell us to expect the first tour of the UK in 1972, for the era of Disco music.

Ben Foster gets a huge audience reception as he sings the ballad "She's Out of My Life" and the hip number "Beat It". A huge red projected disco ball fills the stage and lighting effects see windmills of red lights turning for the fast dance numbers. South African singer dancer John Moabi gives an energetic performance and Roger Wright, who we remember playing Marvin Gaye in the soul musical Dancing in the Streets, interprets some of the Jackson songs with passion.

A live band supports the singers and dancers. Costumes are authentic and in period. The lighting effects by Nigel Catmur are what you would expect at a concert and Jonathan Park's bridge set gives playing on two levels.

This is a good show but what takes it out of the ordinary for me is the quality of the dance. The other lead dancers, especially Sean Williams, shine in versatility from the break dancing of the Street to disco and the Jackson specialist moves but one dancer looks like Michael Jackson and dances like him. Ricko Baird, who trained with Jackson in California, has mastered the Jackson Shuffle, the Moonwalk glide, the Jackson spins and the other original dance steps that Michael Jackson has made his own. In a white suit with a white hat tilted over his face, a ringlet escaping from the brim, with the same build and height, he could be Jackson himself. Ricko's stylish individual performances are show stopping with "Dangerous", "Bad" and "Black and White".

It is as if the show will end on "Heal the World" but we are all asking where is "Thriller"? Surely this can't be like Jailhouse Rock where they didn't have permission to play the title song? No, the crowd are not disappointed although for me the "Thriller" performance felt anti-climactic, probably because there was no time to create the horror makeup and the rubber mask used was inevitably a mask.

This is live theatre not filming and some very fast costume changes are required. A member of the original Jackson Five, Tito Jackson was in the audience for the London opening. I am from a generation that was not that into Michael Jackson's music and "Thriller Live" has opened my eyes to his outstanding contribution to choreography. The dance steps may not always have been thought up by him but his execution is iconic.

Thriller Live opened in London on 21st January 2009. During the singing of "Man In The Mirror" photographs are projected of Martin Luther King, JFK, John Lennon, Bob Geldof, Bono, Nelson Mandela and then to a huge cheer and standing ovation, there's a photograph of the newly inaugurated President, Barack Obama. It was one of the most moving, memorable and thrilling theatre experiences.

Lizzie Loveridge, CurtainUp

We start of in this show with the songs from the Jackson 5 which featured Michael Jackson and there is some crowd pleasing solo’s from the ‘Junior Jacko’ which include Music and me, ABC, I’ll be there and Ben. All of these are very well done and have hand clapping beats and rhythms provided by a sensational band unfortunately hidden behind the clever large LED screen that backdrops most songs throughout. But, due to the fact children cannot do west end nights frequently as they need to have some form of education, the little Michael Jackson could vary per performance.

As act 1 progress’ we have more of the Jackson 5 hits as Michael Jackson is older. Every night, however, there are 3 Michael Jackson’s and a female who sings some of the hits too so at times it can be confusing who is who yet the way they stand out with some thumping vocals is very, very good. Blame it on the Boogie, Rock with you and don’t stop till you get enough are just a few of the songs that stand out magnificently in that quarter of the show.

Like mentioned before there is LED screens in this musical that play a huge part in the way this is staged. Not only though are these projecting cartoon images out yet they can project real images 0ut and this gives it versatility on what it can do as during act one, at the start, there is a little overview of the life of Michael Jackson whilst in act 2 during the heart-stopping and crowd-delighting Thriller there is rustic old footage of a graveyard like in the original video of the hit song Thriller.

In act 2 the show we are gifted with the songs that everybody knows and loves. Earth song, Smooth Criminal, Billie Jean and Bad all appear in quick succession and leave the audience cheering plus dancing up and out of their seats. All of these songs though, adding to the stunning vocals from the respective Jackson, have dances that are sensational and stunningly choreogrpahed. Towards the end of the musical you can see the sweat pouring down their faces after a long night of hard, hard work yet it does make a difference as constantly the dances continue to wow and impress. And no Michael Jackson show would be the same without some moon-walking, thankfully we have plenty in this show and seeing it live makes your jaw drop in awe as they strut around the stage effortlessly.

At the end of the performance the little Michael Jackson, with help from the LED screens, gets the crowd going (like in a concert) texting whether the audience want more, and this was followed by some pretty loud cheers as the performers erupted into Black Or White for a huge finale full of dance and great song.

It is a great night out, full of fantastic hits played to by a superb band and with some dancing that is truely unique and perfect and you want a west end show to see that is different to the rest, this is your show!

www.TechnoFinger.com

REVIEWS -TOUR 2008

STUNNING dancing, musical favourites and dazzling costumes - this show has all the elements to delight any Jackson fan.

A thrilling concert celebrating the career of one of the world's greatest entertainers opened at the Bristol Hippodrome last night.

The cast had audience members on their feet boogying to the music of the Jackson 5 and grooving to some favourites from the 1970s through to the 1990s.

Thriller Live is a brand new show which revels in the music of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. The concert features a West End cast of performers including signers, a live band, choir and fantastic dancers paying tribute to the true king of pop.

Audiences were truly wowed by the unique choreography and brilliant vocal performances in a two-hour show of hit songs including I Want You Back, I'll Be There, Show You The Way To Go, Can You Feel It, Rock With You, She's Out Of My Life, Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean and many more.

Onlookers were asking for more at the end of the show and they weren't disappointed with the rendition of Earth Song, along with some classic Jackson dancing.

If all you want to do is sit in your seat to watch a show, do not bother, as this production is for those who want to get to their feet and join in with the fun.

The Weston Mercury

I came to see the show on Saturday 17th May at Birmingham and it was Fantastic, I did not want it to end!

Mitchell Zhangazha played his part as young Michael Jackson perfectly - his voice was out of this world.

I was so pleased to see Hollie Victoria and Jordan Darrell among the dance crew as I had watched them on Strictly Dance Fever and The Dirty Dancing Competition, they too did not disappoint.

Thanks For a wonderful Show, the Cast and Band were fantastic and I hope this Musical celebration of Michael Jackson's hit songs goes from strength to strength.

Natalie, Staffordshire

What more can we say – It was totally amazing. It was not what we were expecting at all. We would give this show 20/10. It was awesome. The dancing etc was out of this world. We all want to see it again. We were dancing in the aisles most of the time. It was great.

Kerry, Barbara, Amanda, Hazel & Vanda

I went to the show yesterday afternoon (17th May '08), managed to get a ticket just before show began as I was passing by the theatre as both my sisters had seen it previously in Eastbourne and Southend and said it was a good show.

Wow am I glad I went, I thought the whole show was fantastic I was just disappointed that I was on my own and had not taken the rest of my family with me. It was a fantastic way to spend a Saturday afternoon I cannot pinpoint one particular things I enjoyed the whole package it was brilliant.

I just hope the show returns to Birmingham because I for one will be going again and taking several others with me. Well done!!!!

Richard George

I have seen Michael 4 times in concert so me and my wife went along to the show at Birmingham Alexander.

Wow what a show, it was packed, and everyone was dancing. We really enjoyed the Jackson 5 songs, but best bits were Dangerous, Billie Jean, Thriller and Hayley Everts - what a voice!

J. Fairb

We saw Thriller Live on 17 May in Birmingham - it was breathtaking. The dancers were original, energetic and at times just plain amazing, the singers were outstandingly powerful and soulful and the whole cast fits together beautifully to sing and dance the story of Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five.

The audience was enthralled - singing, dancing and living every minute of the show. The singers were amazing, but Hayley Evetts really stood out for me - she was mesmerizing to watch and hauntingly beautiful to listen to. When is the show back - we all want to see it again.

Elizabeth

My and husbund and I went to see this show in Oxford. I had goosebumbs all through the show, I can't begin to say how fantastic this show was>

The cast showed so much energy and the singing, well all i can say is WOW! I would certainly recomend this show.

Well done to all the cast, band and production team for what was a truly a thriller of a night.

Sandi, Oxfordshire

I went to see Thriller Live at the Hammersmith Apollo. All I can say is it was mind blowing, the best show I've ever seen!

There was not one person still seated by the second half, everyone was on their feet dancing, young and old, wow! It needs to be toured again for those who missed out and all those whom I am sure would like a second watch.

Zoe White, Maidstone

REVIEWS - AUTUMN TOUR 2007

Wow! Words cannot describe how much i enjoyed the show. I was at the Glasgow show and I was completely blown away! Everyone was on top form. Zoe Birkett was fantastic what a star! Dominic Smith has so much soul for someone his age, and E'Casanova well what can you say, simply mesmerising!

Everyone must see this show!!!!! It is absolutely fantastic!! You truly left me with life long memories and one of the best nights I've had for a while!

Thank you so much for giving us this incredible show and I continue to wish you all good luck for the rest of the tour! For fans and non fans alike this is a show in a million that will have you dancing in the isles to the small hours. Michael should feel very proud!

LOVED IT! CANT WAIT TO SEE IT AGAIN !

Joseph Dougal, East Kilbride

To Adrian Grant and all the cast, crew, musicians and dancers of Thriller live, I have to drop you a quick e-mail to thank you all for a tremendous evening on Saturday in Liverpool. The show was a breathtaking spectacular! Everyone gave 110% and were highly professional, skilled individuals.

As a massive MJ fan I would of found it an incredibly daunting task to fit a career spanning 5 decades into one show but you managed amazingly to give the people what they want, much as Michael himself does! But all this goes pretty much without saying.

You must receive hundreds of e-mails praising the show and all it's contributors, that's not really why I have e-mailed. I really want to say thank you for a different reason but one that is just as valid, if not more so. You guys, along with so many others that I could name including Jermaine Jackson, David Gest, Neyo, Beyonce, Chris Brown and Justin Timberlake are doing sterling work paving Michael's journey home to the top of the charts! Not a day goes by where somebody does not mention Michael and his influence on them and their music or give nods in his direction be it through copying his dancing or mentioning him in their songs, also Jermaine's appearence on the UK's Celeb Big Brother just demonstrated how dignified and respectful the Jackson family are. It's like Michael has hundreds of representatives reminding the world of how influential and phenomenal he was, is and always will be. So thank you to all of you for representing Michael in such a mind blowing way.

As for my favourite part of the show, that's a hard one but I have to admit both myself and my friend both REALLY thought that E'Casanova was the real MJ when he apperared to do Billie Jean! I actually nearly fell over!

Hazel Moore

I just wanted to say what a terrific show this is - my 18 year old son and I went to The Sage in Newcastle to see this show, without any high expectations - we wanted a night out. Neither Dan nor I were particularly Michael Jackson fans but I had some nostalgia for Jackson 5 Motown and we both enjoy most types of music. Knowing that the Sage is a wonderful setting, we expected to be entertained but this exceeded all of our expectations.

What we got was absolutely outstanding. Visually, the show was stunning, the quality of singing and dancing was amazing and in particular the choreography was very spectacular. Costumes, lighting and film clips contributed hugely to our enjoyment and altogether it was a breath-taking experience. I particularly liked the feel of authenticity about it and that the performers were truly enthusiastic about doing their best to entertain us.

I think the producers need extra thanks for bringing off a "one-night-stand" show to such a high degree of professionalism. technically, it seemed, to an amateur, faultless. Well done to all concerned.

Fiona Weatherill

Went to see show at Gateshead`s Sage on 18th May, it was my wife who wanted to go as she is a huge fan. So I was dragged along not really into this type of music as I`m more into heavy metal... BUT WOW! What a show, I really, really, really enjoyed it, and didn`t want it to end.

An absolute must go see show for all ages, the singing the dancing the music just blew me away...

Well done to everyone... I do hope you tour again and this time it will be me dragging the wife to see the show!

Divinchio, Newcastle

I went to see Thriller Live at the Manchester Opera House 17th May. I went with my daughter and sister in law and we thought the show was absolutly fantastic!

The singers and dancers did a fabulous job of putting a show together about the music of Michael Jackson. It starts off with the early years of Michael and music when he was with the Jackson Five through to music from Off The Wall, Bad, Thriller, and avid fans will know the rest. Everyone who went to this show were dancing in the aisles from children to the more mature.

I really recommend this show for Jackson fans and those who are not. It was full of enery and excitment! My favourite bits were when they danced to Dangerous, Blood On The Dancefloor and Billie Jean.

I will definitley go to this show again, and if it comes near your home town dont miss it you'll love it. Be prepared to get off your feet and dance your way through to hours of fantastic dance and music.

Karen Shanahan, Manchester

Went to see the show in Manchester and it was fabulous, all the cast, dancers, singers etc... were brilliant.The young cast members were exceptional. We had a great night and was worth every penny.

I've been very lucky to have seen the King of Pop myself on stage, but this is the closest i'll come to seeing the Jackson 5, and they did it very well. Well done guys on a great tribute!

D. Clegg

I went to see Thriller Live on Wednesday 16th May in Southend and it was one of the best shows I have seen in a long time. The dancing, singing was perfect, and Zoe Birkett really lit up the show it was amazing!

The dance routines for Beat it and Thriller were perfect if its ever going to Southend again i will definitely go and see it!

Lindsey, Canvey Island

I went to see Thriller last night in Southend and it was absolutely amazing!!! The cast, the dancing, the singing was just blew me away and it is the best thing I have ever seen.

Whoever reads this, make sure this show goes to the Westend because those guys and girls are so talented. Thanks also for signing authographs, you were all so genuniely nice! Well done!

Clare Faulkner

I have just been to see the Southend show and it was fantastic. The dancing and singing were amazing, it was much better than a lot of top shows that I have been to see in the West End and I would like to congratulate everyone involved.

I would stress to anyone reading this that if you are a Michael fan you should try to get a ticket anyplace anyhow.

Jayne Allen

Hii :) I went to see Thriller Live last night at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham and - WOW! It was amazing and took my breath away! I am only 16 but I am a huge fan. I obviously never got to see Michael Jackson in his concerts so I was so pleased when I heard about this show.

The combination of the voices of the West End singers and gospel choir, the amazing dancers and the Michael Jackson tribute artist really made the show one of the best I've ever seen!

Thank you so much for making this show because I finally got to see a show with people who want to celebrate the phenomenal entertainer that is - Michael Jackson!

Come back soon please.

Sophie Marshall

Hey, I went to see Thriller live in Bournemouth on Friday 11th May 07 and gotta tell yah i was transfixed. What a FAB show, I've not clapped, sang and cheered so much in years. A truly proffesional cast and set and i had the best night ever (well apart from seeing Michael live).

I hope you bring the show back to my town again soon as I would love to bring the rest of my family along. Thank you thank you to all involved! Please come again soon.

Callie

I went to see Thriller Live at the Pavillion in Bournemouth. I have to say i was blown away!!! The dancers were absolutley FANtastic, infact everyone involved was. The band,the choir,singers.The set was really good, and the costumes were great. I can't praise the whole production enough. Loved it.

Please please travel back to the south real real SOON!!! Michael would be proud of you!

Annie Humphrey

Hi, I went to the Brighton show and it was fantastic!! I didn't want to leave!

I would love to go and see this again and I hope the cast and crew tour around the South again soon! I recommend anyone with and interest in The Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson's music to go and see this it is worth all the money and all the time!

Thank you very much

Kimberley Hunter

I would just like to thank the whole crew for the bottom of my heart for an excellent show!! I really, really loved it, and it's absolutely a fact that the two hours the show lasted, was the absolute two best hours of my life!! I LOOOVED IT, and in fact I came all the way from the north of Norway just to be able to see the show! The children especially amazed me and one dancer also in particular: Dominic Smith! He has really understood how to move like Michael Jackson! Brilliant! Thank you, thank you thank you!!

Monica Dybwad

I booked for the evening performance and I really enjoyed it! I had a brilliant seat (second row in the stalls - don't think I've ever been so close to a stage before) and loved that you could see the sweat on the dancer's brows!!!

I think the children definitely stole the show, with the dancers a close second. I was SO pleased to see they performed 'Speechless' - five young children sang it together and it brought tears to my eyes, it was beautiful. I know for a fact that Michael would have adored it (and I bet he would be reaching for the tissues too!). The little chap who sang 'Who's Loving You' - well, what can you say, except watch out for him, he's sure to go far! The dancers were amazing, and 'Will You Be Ther', that was brilliant too, what with the gospel choir. The band did an excellent job of staying true to the feeling of each song with their arrangement, so that fans would appreciate the similarity, yet there were individual interpretations so that it wasn't just imitation-Michael all the way through.

I was aware that there were not just fans in the audience, but members of the public who may not describe themselves as fans but who presumably must like Michael's music, or why would they buy tickets... I know some of them were a little bemused by the screams of "Michael!" etc. throughout the show - in fact when I was in the ladies after the show I overheard two girls saying as much; but they enjoyed the show, which is the main thing.

All in all, I feel that this show is a great sign of things to come - two years ago this would have been unthinkable, let's not forget. So to see something like this in a West End theatre, with the possibility of a tour, hopefully shows that Michael is able to move on and that the public is happy to see him applauded for the outstanding artist that he really is.

Well done to everyone concerned with the show, I'm sure Michael would have been touched!

Liberian Girl58