Posts with the label Michael Jackson
Showing posts with label Michael Jackson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Jackson. Show all posts
Friday 14 September 2018
Thriller Live! (4000th Show Gala), Lyric Theatre | Review
Thriller Live! (4000th Show Gala)
Lyric Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 12th September 2018 by Emma Gradwell
★★★★
This week Thriller Live! celebrated its record breaking 4000th performance with a glittering Gala Night featuring special guest performer Peter Andre for one night only.
It was also the launch of a year long collaboration with The Prince's Trust with proceeds from tickets sales to be donated, and a commitment from the Thriller Live! team to provide experiences and mentoring over the next year, which will help to support young people to develop the confidence and skills they need to realise their ambitions through workshops, art projects, Q&A sessions and opportunities to experience the show.
Before the show began, the atmosphere was really electric. There were dedicated fans packing the audience, many of whom had been to see the show many times before.
Comedians Russell Kane and John Culshaw started off proceedings with an introduction for the evening and delivered with humour and style.
Before the show began, the atmosphere was really electric. There were dedicated fans packing the audience, many of whom had been to see the show many times before.
Comedians Russell Kane and John Culshaw started off proceedings with an introduction for the evening and delivered with humour and style.
For anyone not familiar with Thriller Live!, the show is a nostalgic and fond journey through Michael Jacksin's musical career from the early days of Motown and The Jackson Five to beyond his Bad album.
Bouncing onto the stage came the adorable Xhanti Mbonzongwana as a young Michael. His beautiful voice and sharp dance moves took us back to his early career with songs such as ABC and I Want You Back. Backed by an excellent ensemble it was a great performance and got the audience up and on their feet right from the off.
Making his way back to Thriller Live! to perform as an adult Michael was Kieran Alleyne who has previously performed as little Michael in the early days of Thriller Live! Well observed mannerisms and slick dancing in Michael's staccato style made his performance mesmerising. The ensemble dancers in this production really have their work cut out. For most part the show is very high tempo and the choreography is both complex and gruelling. They make it look effortless and it really did make the crowd go wild with excitement. They are clearly having a great time on the stage and this is reflected in how well it is received by the audience.
Bouncing onto the stage came the adorable Xhanti Mbonzongwana as a young Michael. His beautiful voice and sharp dance moves took us back to his early career with songs such as ABC and I Want You Back. Backed by an excellent ensemble it was a great performance and got the audience up and on their feet right from the off.
Making his way back to Thriller Live! to perform as an adult Michael was Kieran Alleyne who has previously performed as little Michael in the early days of Thriller Live! Well observed mannerisms and slick dancing in Michael's staccato style made his performance mesmerising. The ensemble dancers in this production really have their work cut out. For most part the show is very high tempo and the choreography is both complex and gruelling. They make it look effortless and it really did make the crowd go wild with excitement. They are clearly having a great time on the stage and this is reflected in how well it is received by the audience.
My only criticism of the show is that some of the high energy performances are very clearly lip synced to a backing track and with so many great vocal performances it's hard to understand why that is. However, this really was a THRILLING night. The audience loved it, the partnership with The Princes Trust is to be applauded and I am sure the show will continue to entertain in the future.
Thriller Live! is booking at the Lyric Theatre until 7th April as well as a UK Tour
photo credit: Betty Zapata
Tuesday 3 July 2018
Thriller Live (UK Tour), New Victoria Theatre | Review
Thriller Live (UK Tour)
New Victoria Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 2nd July 2018 by Valerie Field
★★★★
Thriller Live is currently running in the West End as well as being on a UK Tour. Whilst theres no plot, it's clear that audiences are loving it due to it celebrating and drawing together the songs of music legend, Michael Jackson in a glitzy, concert format.
As soon as the show began the two leading performers, Britt Quentin and Shaquille Maurice Hemmans involved the audience and took us from a theatre to a concert. This audience/cast co-ordination lasted throughout the entire night and provided a lot of fun.
The performances of all the cast, dancers and singers were great, with not a weak link among them. The individuals who stood out to me most were Rory Taylor, especially with his moving performance of She's Out of My Life and Adriana Louise who gave a vocally exceptional performance throughout. Also, the young boy singing as Michael was outstanding.
Eddy Lima's resemblance of the Great Michael Jackson was
uncanny at times; especially when he did the iconic moonwalk across the stage. It was almost as if he transformed into Michael in front of our eyes.
Another interesting part of the show were the special effects which worked very well, especially the screens on stage which again add to the concert vibe. I was very surprised when the screens opened to reveal the fabulous band who kept the night going with energy and precision. Mention must go to the two guitarists, Alan Salmon and Rob Minns who were fantastic.
The show's namesake, Thriller, was performed towards the end of the second half and although the set and costumes and performances were good I felt they could have made more of it.
However, all in all this is a great feel good show and a fantastic celebration of Michael Jackson songs through the ages. Don't go for a plot but if you want a fun night out with good music, Thriller Live is well worth a visit.
Thriller Live runs at the New Victoria theatre until July 7th before continuing it's tour.
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