UK Theatre Network

Thriller: Live

UK National Tour

Reviewed at Darlington Civic Theatre

In a career that has spanned forty years, Michael Jackson has sold an unparalleled 750 million records worldwide, with his Thriller album still the world’s best-selling record of all time. Love him or loathe him, his impact upon 20^th century pop music cannot be denied.

So, it would seem, the time is right for musical theatre to pay tribute to his achievements in a production that is dedicated to his career. After all, Queen has We Will Rock You, Madness has Our House, Boney M has Daddy Cool, Barry Manilow has Can’t Smile Without You . . . you get the point, right?

However, the difference is that Thriller: Live does not present the audience with a musical play based around Jacko’s hits. It is an all out, no-holds-barred concert tribute to the ‘undisputed King of pop.’

Taking the audience on a toe-tapping, finger-clicking musical journey from his time as one fifth of the Jackson 5 right up to the present, the show is certainly something of a spectacle. All the hit songs are there including ABC, I Want You Back, Ben, Blame It On The Boogie, Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough, Can You Feel It, Beat It, Bad and Black and White. The crowd enthusiastically sing and dance along for all they are worth.

 Thriller: Live has many plus points to its advantage -  breathtaking choreography, brilliant vocal performances, multi-media effects and pyrotechnics and the back catalogue of the man who, arguably, has made the biggest impact upon contemporary music from blues, jazz and Motown to rap, disco and pop.

Former Pop Idol contestant, Hayley Evetts is the headliner and she can certainly sell a song. She is supported by an array of talented singers including Ian Pitter, Peter Murphy and eleven-year-old Tyler McLean as the young Jackson.

Backed by a truly gifted group of dancers, the show is an eye-popping extravaganza of vocal and physical brilliance. I must make particular mention of Daniel Uppal, whose performance was a captivating combination of physicality, charisma and star quality.

A few minor points marred what might have been a truly triumphant evening’s entertainment. Firstly, the production provided a totally one-sided version of Jackson’s life and career that was firmly focused on the positive and that completely skimmed over the negative elements. This was epitomised when Jackson was compared alongside Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama.

Additionally the title number, Thriller, was badly mimed to a recording by Jackson, therefore it was not Live.

Despite these disappointing flaws, this production is an uplifting, invigorating theatrical experience that you cannot help but enjoy.

Steve Burbridge.

‘Thriller: Live’ runs at Darlington Civic Theatre until Saturday 6^th June 2009.