Review: Thriller Live, Grand Opera House, York

I REMEMBER missing the Michael Jackson concerts at Leeds' Roundhay Park both in 1988 and 1992 thinking, as unfortunate as that was, it didn't matter too much as I would eventually see the genius live in action somewhere.
Thriller Live!Thriller Live!
Thriller Live!

I never did and, obviously, now never will but, like many, can at least get a taste of what the experience might have been like when watching the excellent Thriller Live.

No one would ever dare this show can replicate Jackson, of course, and that is why it is clever that five different people take on the role, often together but sometimes alone, during a musical feast of his classics ranging from Who’s Loving Who to Man In the Mirror.

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Furthermore, if just one person took it on, the show would arguably simply then amount to a tribute act and this, with the narrative of Jackson’s career and brilliantly daring dance troupe, is so much more.

Each lead vocalist has his - or her’s (Angelica Allen is one) - own strengths.

However, fittingly in the words of Jackson’s Black or White, it doesn’t matter what colour you are and, so, for me, a white, skinhead from The Wirral arguably proves the best of the lost.

Rory Taylor’s take on She’s Out of my Life, Beat It - great work from Allan Salmon for the Eddie Van Halen guitar solo segment - and Dirty Diana were definite highlights.

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That said, the mesmeric dancing alone from Sean Christopher as he reprised Smooth Criminal was something else, too.

On that note, the dancing throughout is first-class and really captures the essence of what Jackson was all about - not just a great vocalist but brilliant entertainer.

If anything the depiction of the eponymous and iconic Thriller was a little disappointing but, overall, this show, brought in from the West End, is a colourful, high-energy, riotous celebration of his career expertly staged and also supported by a terrific band.

• Runs until Saturday February 6 at Grand Opera House York.

4/5

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