Preview: Thriller Live at Darlington Civic Theatre

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CELEBRATING THE

UNDISPUTED KING OF POP

Thriller Live

Darlington Civic Theatre

Monday 29^th February to Saturday 5^th March 2016.

 

Direct from London’s West End, Thriller Live - celebrating the music of Michael Jackson, comes to Darlington Civic Theatre.

Direct from London’s West End where it is now in its record breaking seventh year, Thriller Live is a spectacular concert created to celebrate the career of the world’s greatest entertainer.

The North East Theatre Guide had the opportunity to see the show earlier in the tour and we really enjoyed it. You can read the full review here: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/review-thriller-live-at-sunderland.html

Seen by over three million people in over thirty countries, Thriller Live continues to moonwalk around the world, taking you on a visual, audio and electrifying journey through the magic of Michael Jackson’s 45 year musical history.

You will experience over two hours of non-stop hits from pop to rock, soul to disco as the cast play homage to Jackson’s legendary live performances and innovative dance moves executed with flair, precision and passion, this is a show that you will never forget.

Expect your favourite songs delivered by an exceptionally talented cast and band, including: I Want You Back, ABC, Can You Feel It, Off The Wall, The Way You Make Me Feel, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Billie Jean, Dirty Diana, Bad, Rock With You, They Don’t Care About Us, Dangerous and Thriller plus many more!

Tickets:

Tickets* are priced £21.80 to £33.50, discounts are available.

*All prices include a £1 restoration levy

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

 

Review: Thriller Live at Sunderland Empire

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Jackson’s Star Appeal

Still Shines Brightly

Thriller Live

Sunderland Empire

Until Saturday 30^th January 2016.

Michael Jackson is still a hugely popular star. His music is still selling by the lorry load and his videos live long in the memory of all that saw them. Could it be possible to simply put a show together that simply showcases his back catalogue in all of it’s splendour?

Thriller Live succeeds in pulling together the strong visual elements of Jackson’s ground breaking videos and the life defining songs.

Director and choreographer Gary Lloyd, fresh from his success with last year’s Carrie The Musical (Review) has pulled together a terrific show. The dancing is superb, the young dancers pull off the tight routines that characterised those memorable videos.

Cleopatra Higgins Photo: Irina Chira

Each of Jackson’s songs are sung faithfully by 5 talented singers. Cleopatra Higgins handled much of the earlier material. Rory Taylor brings a tear to the eye on the ballads. Shaquille Hemmans and Michael Kavuna share a clear passion for the Jackson back catalogue too. Stepping in as Michael himself was understudy Eddy Lima who was not phased by the magnitude of the task.

The show is filled with the hits. 33 of them pack the show, from ABC and Rockin’ Robin at the start of the career through to Dangerous, Beat It and Dirty Diana towards the end. However the big numbers are of course Billie Jean, Bad and Earth Song. The top billing goes to Thriller, a song that not only confirmed Jackson as a superstar but moved the concept of the music video to a whole new level.

The pulsing heart of the show are the 6 musicians under musical director Mike Lindup. Guitarists Allan Salmon and Rob Minns occasionally appear in the action though most of the time the musicians are behind a video screen, which is a shame as they didn’t put a note wrong all night.

The use of video screens and special effects adds to, but does not detract from, the core action on the stage.

This is not a traditional musical, as there is no story - other than a few pointers about Michael’s life and recording career. But it is a stunning celebration of a popular musician.  The singers invite the audience to be a part of the show and they had the packed Empire audience on their feet on a number of occasions.

This is a music event that shows that Jackson’s star has not faded and it is a highly entertaining live experience.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East Theatre Guide from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Read the original North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/preview-thriller-live-at-sunderland.html

Tickets:

Tickets are on sale now from the Box Office on High Street West, Sunderland, the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* and online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland

The 2015/16 UK tour dates are:

Sunderland Empire, 25 - 30 January 

York Grand Opera House, 1 - 6 February

Stoke on Trent Regent Theatre, 11 - 13 February

Bristol Hippodrome, 15 - 20 February

Southend Cliff’s Pavilion, 22 - 27 February

Darlington Civic Theatre, 29 February - 5 March

Birmingham Alexandra Theatre, 7 - 12 March

Oxford New Theatre, 14 - 19 March

Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 21 - 26 March

Sheffield Lyceum, 29 March - 2 April

Liverpool Empire,11 - 16 April

Glasgow Kings Theatre, 18 - 23 April

Cardiff New Theatre, 25 - 30 April

Bournemouth 6 - 11 May

 
 

Preview: Thriller Live at Sunderland Empire

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It’s a $150million Thriller!

Thriller Live

Sunderland Empire

Monday 25^th – Saturday 30^th January 2016.

Long-running, record-breaking West End concert spectacular, Thriller Live, has now taken in excess of $150million at the global box office. A 10-month UK & European tour to visit Sunderland Empire with an updated version of the show -  including new songs, videos, costumes and special fx.  Thriller Live will overtake Evita to become the 17th Longest Running West End Musical of all time in December!

Long-running, record-breaking West End concert spectacular, Thriller Live, has now taken in excess of $150million at the global box office.  A new-look updated version of the show will be at Sunderland Empire for one week only in January.

Announcing the eye-watering figure, producer Paul Walden said: “We are certainly not resting on our laurels - a brand new version of the show, with four new songs, a new opening, new production elements including new video, new costumes and special effects - is on a 10-month UK and international tour and premiered on Thursday October 8 in the West End, where the show continues to break West End records. With all these changes we aim to once again set the bar high in terms of what a West End audience will see, hear and experience.”

"This is proof positive that the music of Michael Jackson is still one of the hottest tickets on the planet. We are privileged to continue his musical legacy in Thriller Live, and to have taken it to theatres, concert halls and arenas in 32 countries around the world. 

“Half this amazing total has come from our record-breaking seven-year West Endrun and UK tours. One hundred and fifty million dollars is a landmark financial milestone that few modern stage shows attain. We are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of all of the creative team, dancers, singers, musicians and crew who have entertained the world as part of the Thriller Live family. 

On December 13, at the 2901st performance at the Lyric Theatre, Thriller Livewill overtake Evita, which opened in 1978, to become the 17th Longest Running West End Musical of all time. It is testament to the enduring appeal of Michael Jackson and his music. 

Thriller Live, choreographed and directed by award-winning Gary Lloyd, was originally conceived and created by Adrian Grant, a long-time associate of Michael Jackson, and author of Michael Jackson – The Visual Documentary.

It is produced by Paul Walden and Derek Nicol for Flying Music in association with Adrian Grant for Key Concerts.

Tickets:

Tickets are on sale now from the Box Office on High Street West, Sunderland, the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* and online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland

The 2015/16 UK tour dates are:

Portsmouth Guildhall, 27 - 31 December 

Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, 12 - 17 January

Manchester Opera House, 18 - 23 January 

Sunderland Empire, 25 - 30 January 

York Grand Opera House, 1 - 6 February

Stoke on Trent Regent Theatre, 11 - 13 February

Bristol Hippodrome, 15 - 20 February

Southend Cliff’s Pavilion, 22 - 27 February

Darlington Civic Theatre, 29 February - 5 March

Birmingham Alexandra Theatre, 7 - 12 March

Oxford New Theatre, 14 - 19 March

Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 21 - 26 March

Sheffield Lyceum, 29 March - 2 April

Liverpool Empire,11 - 16 April

Glasgow Kings Theatre, 18 - 23 April

Cardiff New Theatre, 25 - 30 April

Bournemouth 6 - 11 May