Thriller Live

THANKS to Flying Music and Key Concerts, the spirit of Michael Jackson comes to Manchester’s Palace Theatre for just four days until Saturday.

Although the great pop idol himself isn’t there, we see in ‘Thriller Live’ his life and videos recreated by different ‘Michaels’ going back to his Jackson Five days.

There is something about his music that grips you and is unlike anything else.

Even the young Michael from the Jackson Five, performed by 14-year-old Dominic Smith, has bags of charisma and oodles of stage presence.  He relates to the audience right from the start.

You don’t know where the cast get their energy from for, thanks to LaVelle Smith Jnr’s choreography they are on their fast moving feet for just over two hours.   Their co-ordination with Jackson’s rhythmic themes is incredible.

They dance to all time hits such as ‘I want you back’, ‘I’ll be there’ and ‘Billie Jean’ not to mention ‘Thriller’.

Zoe Birckett displays the reason why she almost won ‘Pop Idol’ when she stars as a principal singer.   Seldom off stage, she plays a key role as her exceptional voice echoes through the auditorium.  

The cast, backed by a multi-media video, save the best to the last.   Ricko Baird, previously a front dancer with Michael Jackson himself on the award-winning dance number

‘Dangerous’, leads them. Chris becomes ‘Jacko’ as he mimics the King of Pop’s marionette movements.

The audience’s feet thumping and hand clapping make an ideal backing to the on stage live band.

It is a fitting conclusion to a show that brings back memories of a timeless performer.

Julia Taylor, Manchester Evening News
7/ 9/2007

Taking the Michael

Did it matter that it wasn't the actual Jacko on the Phil stage at the weekend? Not a bit, says Ben Patey who joined the Thriller seekers.

SURE, it may not have been the real Michael Jackson performing but, still, only in Liverpool would someone show their appreciation of a breathtaking rendition of Billie Jean by shouting "Go on lad," and sending the packed Philharmonic Hall into stitches.

Thriller Live was billed as a celebration of the work of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5. It didn't disappoint.

Over 40 performers, including a full company of West End singers, a gospel choir and dancers, took the audience on a magical journey of hits, onto Jacko's seminal Off The Wall record before bounding through Bad, Thriller, Dangerous and Blood On The Dancefloor.

A young "Michael Jackson" started the show. It was a little eerie how much he sounded like the real deal as he sang Ben. As I looked around, I noticed at least five people were crying. Only Michael Jackson could have written a song about a rat, and have it nominated for Grammys.

The compere was none other than Jackson's ex choreographer, the former Shalamar singer, Jeffrey Daniel. Daniel's occasional appearances gave the singers and dancers time to change into new outfits and made for an insightful respite from someone who had worked with Jackson for over 20 years. Daniel is also credited with teaching Jackson how to moonwalk

As we entered the Bad and Thriller years, the audience were treated to several brilliant Jackson look and sound-alikes. The dancing was as you would expect: incredible.

One female singer in particular had caught my eye. It was ironic that my feelings for her gained momentum during the duet; I just can't stop loving you.

By now, the packed out Philharmonic were all on their feet dancing to such classics as Smooth Criminal and Don't Stop Till You Get Enough.

The band seemed effortlessly tight. It was easy to forget that a backing track wasn't being played. The lighting - wonderful. The choreography - dazzling. The multimedia - tremendous. The atmosphere - electrifying. It was going to be difficult not to go into adjective overdrive.

During Earth Song, there were three different Michael Jacksons on stage at one point, as well as a gospel choir and a backdrop of the video.

I started to ponder.... How many pop singers would be having a night dedicated to their hits at the Phil in 20 years time? Justin Timberlake perhaps? Not a chance. Nobody comes close.

Forget the bizarre persona and the allegations...tonight was all about the music of, quite simply, the most outrageously talented performer ever to live. I think Wacko himself would have given the one-gloved thumbs up to the performances of those at The Philharmonic. I'm convinced there'd still be those shouting for an encore now given the chance.

Young, old, scally and otherwise had come to celebrate the work of a musical genius, the likes of which we may never see again.

Liverpoolconfidential.com