Adelaide Festival Theatre. 2 Jan 2015
‘Thriller Live’ is a kind of concert cum juke-box musical with no plot line or real historical relevance which, despite these theatrical flaws, still manages to impress. It is the music that does the work, and that is what executive director and original creator Adrian Grant has wholly aimed for; a celebration of the music. With a less familiar artist or fewer chances for spectacular dance numbers it would be a terrific flop – and yet, ‘Thriller Live’ is not.
The show opens slowly and takes quite a while to warm up. Numbers that really get the audience going include ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ and ‘Black or White’. The set is practical with a few uncomplicated levels to add interest. A flank of screens adorns the wings and upstage entrance which play colourful moving graphics to decorate the stage. The quality of the graphics is pretty low, and some of the images belong in a clip-art gallery, but for the most part the effect supplements the performances fine.
The two hour concert features many of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5’s best known hits including ‘I Want You Back’, ‘ABC’, ‘Beat It’, ‘Man In The Mirror’, ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Thriller’ and ‘Bad’. Tracks from the albums ‘Thriller (1982)’ and ‘Bad (1987)’ are the most popular amongst the audience, but a rousing performance of "They Don't Care About Us" from ‘HIStory (1995) and a touching version of “She’s Out Of My Life” from Off The Wall (1979) do well to showcase some earlier and much later work.
All of the performers are strong in their own right, but there are definitely standouts who rate a mention. The principal cast consists of six soloists who share the tracks throughout the performance. Alex Buchanan, hailing from Manchester in the UK, strikes the best balance of vocal and dance ability amongst the leads. Sean Christopher, also out of the UK, demonstrates outstanding physicality as he recreates many of the famous Jackson dance moves – including the ever popular moonwalk. J Rome bursts with energy and look unmistakeably like Usher from mid-way back in the auditorium and Wayne Robinson oozes class with every note he sings, filling out the bottom register with delicious dulcet tones.
The dance troop is also a force to behold and tear up the Adelaide Festival Centre stage with bucket loads of energy. Again, all give110 percent, but it is hard to take your eyes of off pocket rocket Leah Hill who hits every step as sharp as a knife; Tom Remaili who is amongst the best of the boys in the choreography; and Jessica Powell and Rose Wild whose long slender physiques mark every line with perfection.
There are a few sound issues with band levels being too high and hand mics occasionally too heavy on the bass. All said and done however ‘Thriller Live’ gives a real insight into what it might have been like to experience a live performance from the man himself.
Musical theatre aficionados might leave wondering what they just saw, but Jackson fans are unlikely to be disappointed.
Paul Rodda
When: 30 Dec to 11 Jan
Where: Festival Theatre
Bookings: bass.net.au
Image Gallery
