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Thriller Live

Thriller Live

★★★★★

Lyric Theatre

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Thriller Live

Thriller Live

Lyric Theatre

Reviewed – 10th December 2019

★★★★★

 

“an energetic and spectacular tribute to one of the most influential artists who has ever lived”

 

Thriller Live first opened at the Lyric Theatre in London in 2009 and since then has had over 4,000 performances and is soon to be the 11th longest running musical in the West End. Celebrating the life and legacy of Michael Jackson, Thriller Live, produced by Paul Walden and Derek Nicol, takes its audience on a journey through the King of Pop’s greatest hits from his early life in the Jackson 5 to his dizzying success with the albums Bad and Thriller.

The show has little plot other than a vague chronology of Jackson’s life and musical career. The incredibly cute Ishaan Raithatha plays a young Michael Jackson and leads on ABC and I Want You Back while Florivaldo Mossi does an excellent job of playing the King of Pop at the height of his career. With Mossi’s effortless flair, it’s easy to forget that you are not actually watching MJ himself. In Billie Jean, Mossi takes to the stage alone and dominates the space with his incredible imitation of Jackson’s dancing. The choreography (Gary Lloyd) is incredible throughout the show and particularly notable during Dangerous, Dirty Diana and Smooth Criminal.

For a special two-week run this Christmas, singer Peter Andre also joins the cast. There is great excitement for Andre amongst the crowd and any appearance of his on-stage garners whoops and cheers. Andre did well to keep up with the King of Pop’s signature moves, but his voice is unfortunately not nearly as strong as the other singers. The strongest vocalist is Vivienne Ekwulugo who leads a beautiful rendition of Who’s Loving You.

Haydon Eshun and John Moabi do well to host the show though there is no one person who is particularly good at getting the audience going. Any enthusiasm from the crowd is the result of favourite songs rather than engaging audience participation. During Shake Your Body, the cast attempt to start a sing along but it is far too early in the show for the audience to really be warmed up enough. By the finale, however, the audience are far more receptive.

The set (Johnathan Park) consists of several screens one of which opens at the back of the stage to create an entrance and from behind which the band plays. Two tall light-up staircases sit either side and lead up to a walkway where the cast dance and in Smooth Criminal show off Jackson’s famous anti-gravity lean. There is another large screen that hangs above the stage and displays different images depending on the song. Bursts of light and flashing effects (Nigel Catmur) are also frequently used to enhance crescendo moments.

There are few props, but these are barely necessary as the dancing and lights are engaging enough. During Smooth Criminal and Dirty Diana in the second half, two sofas are wheeled around to add variety to the dancing. There is also some flag waving at the end of Can You Feel It and fake drums to match the banging in They Don’t Care About Us. The costumes (Rob Jones and Catherine Teatum) are suitably Jackson-esque with lots of sparkles and iconic outfits such as the Smooth Criminal white suit and the red Thriller jacket.

Michael Jackson fan or not, it is hard to not find yourself bopping along in your seat or, when encouraged, to stand to your feet and sing along. Though some more information on Jackson’s life would have been appreciated, Thriller Live is an energetic and spectacular tribute to one of the most influential artists who has ever lived.

 

Reviewed by Flora Doble

Photography by Betty Zapata

 


Thriller Live

Lyric Theatre until 26th April

 

Last ten shows reviewed by Flora:
Torch Song | ★★★★★ | The Turbine Theatre | September 2019
Art Heist | ★★★½ | New Diorama Theatre | October 2019
Children Of The Quorn | ★★★★★ | Pleasance Theatre | October 2019
Last Orders | ★★★ | Old Red Lion Theatre | October 2019
Smashing It! | ★★ | Bread & Roses Theatre | October 2019
Ugly | ★★★½ | Tristan Bates Theatre | October 2019
Don’t Frighten The Straights | ★★★ | King’s Head Theatre | November 2019
Escape From Planet Trash | ★★★ | Pleasance Theatre | November 2019
Sydney & The Old Girl | ★★★★ | Park Theatre | November 2019
All I Want For Christmas Is Attention | ★★★★★ | o2 Forum Kentish Town | December 2019

 

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Sinatra: Raw

Sinatra: Raw
★★★★★

Live at Zédel

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Sinatra: Raw

Sinatra: Raw

Live at Zédel

Reviewed – 15th January 2019

★★★★★

“Shelton convincingly takes you back to a time of glamour, booze, and effortless cool that is truly intoxicating”

 

It’s quarter to three. There’s no one in the place ‘cept you and… Ol’ Blues Eyes.

Frank Sinatra is a name synonymous around the world. A legend. An icon. A one-off. Singing the songs that Sinatra made so famous is a difficult feat, but actually trying to become him body and soul, is a near impossible challenge. However, Richard Shelton is quite possibly the closest living incarnation of him you can find. With his cosy and confidential show Sinatra: Raw, Shelton convincingly takes you back to a time of glamour, booze, and effortless cool that is truly intoxicating.

It’s Palm Springs. 1971. Rock ‘n’ Roll is well and truly in, whilst the crooners and the lounge singers of the 40’s are most certainly out. It’s old hat. Frank Sinatra, was once the biggest star on the planet, but his popularity has gradually dwindled as the likes of Elvis, The Beatles and now those trouble makers, The Rolling Stones have overshadowed him. But Sinatra perseveres. He finds himself back in Vegas, in the town where him and his Rat Pack buddies once ruled the roost, to give a small and intimate performance around the piano, for his nearest and dearest. It’s late. A few whiskies have been downed, and Frank is in a dangerously reflective mood, ready to say and sing anything he feels like. It’s Frank at his most enticing.

Richard Shelton is no stranger to being Sinatra. Having made waves as the Swing King in the West End show, The Rat Pack Confidential, and toured abundantly in one-man shows playing the legend, Shelton has certainly had years to perfect his act. He captures Sinatra spot on. Not just the singing but also his speaking voice and mannerisms. It isn’t a complete mimicry, more an essence of Sinatra, which actually works better. It’s a far cry from being a cheesy tribute act. Shelton has class.

With just a piano and a little table with a bottle of Jack and ice – a Sinatra staple – the bare stage leaves way for the dominant presence that Shelton radiates. Opening with the song All or Nothing At All, the Sinatra catalogue of hits is explored one by one with precision. Between songs, Shelton offers a contemplative Frank who looks back at the highs and lows of his career, often outspoken and highly candid. This isn’t the version of the star you see everyday.

With sophistication and style Shelton is deliciously smooth, like the whiskey he knocks back. However, he allows deep cracks within Sinatra’s persona to show which makes for a refreshing and multilayered performance. There’s no denying Shelton’s talent, proving his acting chops alongside his faultless singing. He offers an authentic portrayal of the man once simply called The Voice. Hugely entertaining and engrossing, this is a show that will leave you wanting more.

 

Reviewed by Phoebe Cole

Photography by Betty Zapata

 


Sinatra: Raw

Live at Zédel until 20th January

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:
Dad’s Army Radio Hour | ★★★½ | January 2018
Liza Pulman Sings Streisand | ★★★★ | March 2018
The Clementine Show | ★★★★ | July 2018
I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical | ★★★★★ | August 2018
Welcome to the Big Top | ★★★★ | October 2018
Well-Strung | ★★★ | October 2018

 

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