Thriller Live reviews – Lyric Theatre

"It's cute, kicking and retro"

"Singer Roger Wright has a soaring, modulated Motown voice, but even he can't stop this from sounding like a compilation album by Telstar"

"Solid gold hits light up this loosely-plotted celebration of all things Jackson"

"What really hits home in this jubilant jukebox show, which recently celebrated its thousandth performance, is the range of repertoire available. 'Thriller' is a reminder of Michael Jackson's versatility and the unique gloss he lent to pop, rock, dance and even the ballad. 'Heal the World' is crooned by a throng of suitably seraphic kids, 'Beat It' is blasted into the gods and a silver-gloved groover glides majestically through 'Smooth Criminal."

"Immensely enjoyable compilation"

"It's a shame that Gary Lloyd's production has no theatrical justification whatsoever, but the presentation is so enjoyably theatrical that the objection disintegrates. There's a wonderful catalogue of late Motown, blues and early indie rock that covers a whole era of pop music at its best."

"Quite literally, thrilling"

"This is very much an ensemble company and the dance team here deserve a special mention. The choreography paints as lively and informative a picture of the changing decades as do Jackson’s songs, and some of the set pieces, particularly the Billie Jean/Thriller/Bad set are, quite literally, thrilling."

"A glitzy concert of song and dance...a great night out"

"... within its narrow limits, the show works well. What most people like most about back-catalogue musicals is the medley of big hits at the end, and in this show the hits just keep on coming, largely glossing over the fact that in recent years Jackson has become ever less impressive as a pop star as he grows more bonkers and messianic."

""Thrilling, certainly, but empty, too.""

"There's no fictional conceit stitching the songs together in Adrian Grant's "celebration" of Michael Jackson's music. Instead, a barrage of awards and sales statistics (flashed up in graphics on a screen) punctuate set pieces featuring a revolving cast of six singers"

"A hugely enjoyable, gloriously upbeart, high energy show."