Staircases flanking the stage on either side rise to meet a bridge at the rear, under which nestles a small musical combo with an outstanding guitar player, Victor Rounds. Photos of the Jackson Five loom large at the wings and a short video of Michael Jackson marks the beginning of this production, which spans all three decades of his extraordinary career.
The capacity theatre is silent – there’s respect here for a man who, from the age of six, encouraged a generation of young people to feel the rhythm, find their voices and express their emotions. Jackson’s multiple awards, and sales of more than 750 million records worldwide, not only earned him the title of King of Pop but saw him twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
But this evening is not a litany of Jackson’s achievements or personal life but rather a celebration of everything it meant to be Michael Jackson, the performer whose best-selling album of all time, Thriller, gives its name to this show.
Suddenly the quiet is shattered by a burst of energy and colour as figures mount the stairs, cross the bridge, and take centre stage, singing and dancing. The movement is electric and leads to a question tossed to the audience – ‘Are you ready to party?’ The answer makes the walls rock and they didn’t stop rocking for more than two hours as the show kicked off with one of the Jackson 5’s signature tunes, ‘I’m Goin’ Back to Indiana,’ written when Jackson was the lead singer at only 13 years of age.
There is no doubt about vocalist Prinnie Stevens’ presence and talent but she had a big load to carry as the only female lead, compared to the several different males who performed the other singing roles.One might also question why four people singing and dancing were also holding microphones? Articulation of the vocals was sometimes clear as a result, though visually, it did pay tribute to Jackson’s on-stage presence.
However, along with the rest of the fans I did hear clearly the words ‘Let’s dance’ and ‘Let’s shout’ which had everybody on their feet singing along with ‘Blame it on the Boogie!’ The involuntary clapping took place again and again through the evening with ‘Can You Feel It, ‘Beat It,’ ’ Black or White’ and, of course, whenever a specific Michael Jackson clone in the form of wonderful dancer, Sean Christian, appeared to lead a number.
The choreography was faultless with multiple variations of the Jackson movements complemented by the costumes designed by Rob Jones and Catherine Teatum.
The red and black theme added to a brilliant dance sequence for ‘This Place Hotel’ and set designer, Jonathon Park must be congratulated for the constantly changing visuals, particularly towards the end of the show with ‘Man in the Mirror’, which displayed the humanitarian principles Jackson aspired to towards the end of his life.
There’s so much to praise about this thrilling show, initiated by Adrian Grant in 1991. It has now been seen in 28 countries around the world with over three million people buying tickets. Next stop, Sydney’s Lyric Theatre.
There have been many moving words written about the power of music and none better than these by the great philosopher, Plato in 428 BC . ‘Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.’
Could we feel it? Absolutely!
Rating: 4.5 stars stars out of 5
Thriller Live
thrillerlive.com.au
Directed & choreographed by Gary Lloyd
State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne
Until 8 February
