Lyric Theatre has been the home to Thriller Live the tribute production to celebrate Michael Jackson’s life and music since 2008. It is now in its final run of six months. Peter Andre is now appearing for two weeks from the 10th to 22nd December although some performances might change so please check the website before booking.
Andre performs several of Jackson’s famous tracks featured in Thriller live and he is headlining to perform one in particular “The way you make me feel” which is almost identically recreated to be the exact interpretation from the 1988 Grammy awards version performed by Jackson.
Several of Andre’s excited fans were in the auditorium and welcomed him to the stage. With one fan shouting out “I love you Peter” partway through a song. He appeared to be slightly taken aback by it although it didn’t hinder his performance. One thing I noticed is he has certainly mastered the famous Jackson moonwalk with his nimble footwork.
Thriller Live will be an absolute must for many die-hard Andre fans who have either never seen him live before or will simply want to see him again. He’s in peak condition and puts a lot of energy, heart and soul into this difficult role performing in the style of Jackson who even now is definitely one of those artists with enormous shoes to fill by any musician.
With all the right ingredients you would expect to find when honouring the life of Jackson’s musical career and the narration delivered by the cast. You find out where Jackson began and it leads the audience through the two and a half-hour concert/show using many of the artist’s well-known songs to guide you through his timeline.
Ishaan Raithatha’s performance as the young Michael in the Jackson 5 has an incredibly strong presence on the stage he really bought the house down with his performance and I especially liked “Rockin’ Robin” which is one of my favourite Jackson 5 songs.
Dancer Deavion Brown’s performance stood out for me. The energy and enthusiasm he bought to his role in the dance ensemble in every number were absolutely incredible. I believe he is one name to watch out for in the future.
Lighting creative team led by Nigel Catmur have certainly created a light show befitting of Jackson’s numerous staged concerts with a fantastic display of vibrant colours and strobe lighting effects there’s never a dull moment on the stage.
Director and choreographer Gary Llyod have brilliantly created an extremely slick and entertaining musical homage to the world’s greatest entertainer that danced, sang and wowed many fans worldwide on the stage.
Four Stars.
Photographs credit Betty Zapata.
For further information on Peter Andre performing in Thriller Live please use the link below.
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