Show: Thriller Live
Format: Musical
Genre: Musical
Date: April 11 2016
Location: Empire Theatre, Liverpool
This is our review for Thriller Live at Liverpool‘s Empire Theatre. So, let’s take a look at Thriller Live!
Thriller Live
Description Of Thriller Live
A Michael Jackson show is always likely to be a Thriller. But there is a chance it could be Bad. You’d probably enjoy it whether you’re Black Or White, but if you wouldn’t, you might Blame It On The Boogie. Understanding the plot of such a show is as easy as ABC … okay, I’ll dispense with the awful Jacko puns now. (Especially since it would have been nearly impossible to find one for Earth Song.)
This show takes an energetic, entertaining and exciting look at the career of the legendary Michael Jackson. Beginning with his time in The Jackson 5 with early Motown songs, it moves onto his shift to disco music before focusing on his most famous hits (and there were many) from the 1980s and 1990s. Of course, Michael is no longer with us. So for this tribute to MJ, the songs come from a range of singers. Not forgetting the dance teams who ensure that the performances are as authentic and true to Michael’s memory as possible.
Analysis Of Thriller Live
With the exception of the show’s biggest tunes, this production does not try to make you feel like you are watching Michael Jackson live or The Jackson 5 live. By that, I mean that those singing Michael’s songs do not try to dress up like him; some singers bear no resemblance to him at all. As noted, though, from a visual standpoint we do get that “Michael performing live” feel towards the end through the dance work of the outstanding Sean Christopher.
His moves are as close to Michael’s as you could ask for. The costumes are very realistic, especially for the dancers, and the clever use of props (such as scary headstones for Thriller and spray-paint to introduce the performance of Bad) adds a lot to one’s enjoyment of the show.
Singers
And don’t let the lack of Michael get-up fool you: the singers themselves are very good. In particular, Rory Taylor does a great job on the slower, more high-pitched numbers; his rendition of She’s Out Of My Life is a show highlight. That being said, the remaining singers – Angelica Allen, Adam J. Bernard and Shaquille Hemmans – are also strong vocalists, and during some of the faster, funkier tunes, they involve audience interaction through simple yet effective techniques that resulted in a huge level of noise in the Empire.
Of course, Michael prided himself on being a quick-moving, eye-catching performer, which is acknowledged by the fast pace of the show as a whole, the almost non-stop action from the backing dancers and the bright, colourful screens which provide cool backgrounds (like the cemetery for Thriller), striking images (such as some of the animals referenced in Earth Song) and some additional contributions (e.g. a young child singing Rockin’ Robin). The stage remains a pop concert-like staircase throughout, but the props and screens do make you feel like the environment is changing in line with the songs.
Music
But, of course, the show is really all about the music. Jackson fans will know all of his greatest hits and will therefore love the show for those alone,. But for new attendees, you will recognise a ton of songs. These include ABC, Rockin’ Robin, Blame It On The Boogie and Can You Feel It. There’s also Shake Your Body Down To The Ground and Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough. Not forgetting The Way You Make Me Feel, Smooth Criminal, Earth Song and Billie Jean. Of course, we also hear Thriller, Bad, Black Or White and so many others. You Are Not Alone was a notable omission. But otherwise, all of the tunes are here, and they are all very, very good.
Summary Of Thriller Live
Again, this show doesn’t try to act as a Michael Jackson tribute show. It instead pays tribute to Michael Jackson, which it definitely succeeds at doing. There’s great music, strong singers, excellent dancers, and a colourful backdrop. So, Thriller Live is a brilliant journey through the legacy of The King Of Pop that I would recommend to any Jackson fan. Dare I say that the show really was a Thriller?
