Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre

Now in its 6^th year, the record-breaking West End show Thriller Live marked the fifth anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death with the debut of its newest cast member – lead female performer Cleopatra Higgins. Cleo shot to fame in her teenage years with all-sister pop group Cleopatra, (and most recently was Will.i.am’s incredible semi-finalist contestant on BBC One’s The Voice). She now joins the cast of a show which has left audiences in awe worldwide, surpassing 3,000 shows to 2.5 million people across 26 countries.

Thriller Live documents and showcases the entire Jackson back catalogue, from Michael’s formative junior years in The Jackson Five, through his incredible repertoire of 45 years of pop, rock and soul. Aside from Cleo, four other cast members rotate the lead role. With Haydon Eshun of 90s boy band Ultimate Kaos, (previously hailed by the media as “The New Michael Jackson”) starring on stage alongside Cleo, Thriller Live could easily turn into a feverish cabaret act featuring washed up pop stars. However these two stars immediately prove they were never destined for the media-infested circus of pop music, rather they belong with and own this West End stage.

John Maobi revels in his role as on-stage compere. A natural affinity with the audience, he brings seasoned charisma and charm as the crowd hang on his every MJ groove. He binds these performers together, allowing them to work in cohesive and creative harmony as the cast roll through spellbinding hits such as I Want You Back, Thriller, and Dirty Diana.

Where this show really shines is by not attempting to emulate Michael. Thriller Live is superbly inclusive, exhibiting incredible performers regardless of sex, colour or age, and is a testimony to Michael’s ethics. The rotation of these incredible performers brings Michael’s legacy to life in what could be the most breath-taking visual and musical experience in the West End. Thriller Live is not a homage, but an ecstatic celebration of Michael’s work. To call Thriller Live a tribute would be condescending: this is the embodiment of Michael Jackson’s life and ethos. World-class performers manifest the Jackson legacy on stage as if they had been trained by the man himself; if you weren’t a fan before, you will be now.

Donna Mackay

Thriller Live is on at The Lyric Theatre and has extended its booking period by more than 12 months to 19^th April 2015. For further information or to book visit the show’s website here.

Watch the trailer for Thriller Live here: