MJ the Musical at Prince Edward Theatre
Still fresh from winning Best Choreography at the Olivier Awards back in April, among its several other nominations, MJ the Musical is just about everything you could possibly want from an MJ musical.
Preparation has begun for Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous world tour. Rehearsals are underway, and sets are being planned. Tensions are high and the tour is haemorrhaging money, but Jackson is determined to make everything perfect. Rachel, an MTV journalist, arrives to document Michael’s creative process and learn more about it. They sit down together and talk about his childhood with The Jackson 5, his early solo career making Off the Wall and Thriller and touring again with The Jacksons.
Michael Jackson is portrayed as the brilliant entertainer that he was. Some of the earlier controversy is hinted at, but this is a celebratory show set in the early 90s, and not an examination of certain allegations made later.
The interview ties together stories of Jackson’s family life and his experience striking out alone with the forthcoming tour. It’s a good device for providing insights into his eccentricity and excuses for rolling through his entire library of smash hits (up to Dangerous).
Quite frankly, it’s absolutely spectacular. The staging and the choreography are nothing short of epic. The whole show is a beautifully orchestrated dance, a mesmerising display with some of the slickest scene changes in the West End. It’s Michael Jackson, damn it.
It’s difficult to believe that anyone could really do justice to the King of Pop, but Jamaal Fields-Green as present-day MJ and Mitchell Zhangazha as 80s Michael are both utterly fantastic, leaving the audience desperate for more. The whole cast provides stunning, high-energy movement throughout, while at the same time nailing the vocals.
There’s no question that fans of Michael Jackson simply have to see this. But MJ the Musical is a top-class production that will have anyone dancing in their seats and whooping for the performers.
Jim Compton-Hall
Photos: Story House
MJ the Musical is at the Prince Edward Theatre until 28th October 2025. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.
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