There has never been a better time to go and see the musical Thriller Live at The Lyric Theatre in London. With the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death still fresh in our minds, this show is a wonderful way to celebrate his life and music.

Thriller takes you on a journey through all the major phases of Jackson’s musical life. There is not much of a narrative to follow, instead the show focuses on squeezing in as much singing and dancing as possible, performing popular hit after hit.

Thriller also gives an insight into Michael Jackson’s childhood and his early career in his family band The Jackson 5. The talented Mitchell Zhangazha is breathtaking as young Michael, with a voice and moves that rival the adult performers on stage.

The dancers are fantastically exuberant, and perform in almost every number but the star of the show is Jovanny Pichardo Almonte who takes on the part of the main Michael dancer. It is evident Almonte has studied Jackson’s dance and performance style for many years. Both his look and his movements seem almost identical to that of MJ himself.

If you have a favourite Jackson number, it is sure to be part of this epic show, all mine were! A trip to Thriller Live is a truly wonderful way to remember the King of Pop.

Thriller Live is on at London’s Lyric Theatre until 12 Sep. Book your Thriller tickets here.

Blaze brings breakdancing locking and popping back to the London stage this month.

Being a fan of live dance performances, I always get a buzz when I hear about street dance coming my way. I was keen to see what stance the performers would take on delivering their passion in Sadler’s Wells latest production.

Blaze is directed by top West End director and choreographer Anthony Van Laast, (director of Mamma Mia! and Sister Act).

The set designer Es Devlin has created an intimate and cosy feel for the audience, using a stack of drawers as a backdrop, setting the scene in a teenager’s bedroom. The dancers made good use of the stage in creative entrances and exits around the set.

Dancers Carrie-Anne Ingrouille and Fabiano Carvalho Lopes stood out, delivering particularly creative and exciting moves.

However, I wish I’d seen a more polished performance overall. Some set routines were poorly developed and a little childish, and a contest recreating the Vogue dance routine seemed to need fine tuning. They also brought a clap-o-meter on stage; prompting audience participation felt a touch clumsy.

It will always bring a smile to my face when I see and hear about street dance, break-dancing and body popping. I love to see how it continues to evolve.  I’m always on the lookout for dancers keeping it fresh and putting an element of sophistication into street dance, because that’s what my favourite street dancers, like Michael Jackson, do. MJ made street dance sophisticated and opened it up to the world; and once you sophisticate a dance form, you can then take it to another level and deliver it to a wider audience. 

Blaze is at the Peacock Theatre in Holborn until 28 March 2010

Micheal Jackson: The Official Exhibition tickets went on sale this morning.

The exhibition opens in October, and showcases an extensive collection of memorabilia from the King of Pop’s extraordinary career, including his famous sequinned glove, and an original Jackson 5 contract.

Michael Jackson: The Official Exhibition chronicles Michael Jackson’s rise to fame, and his superstar career, and ends with the shows he had planned at The O2 before his untimely death.

Demand for tickets is expected to be high – so make sure you book your tickets now.

Catch Andy Warhol‘s amazing Michael Jackson portrait as it comes to London for just three days next week.

The iconic MJ picture will go on display at the British Music Experience from Thursday 6 August and will be its only European showing before it returns to New York to be sold.

The portrait was commissioned to celebrate record sales of the King of Pop’s Thriller album in 1984. If you’d like to own it, the opening bid starts at just $800,000!

Don’t miss your chance to see this unique piece of music history.

I was originally booked for the opening night of July 8th, which was rescheduled to last night – July 13th

I was saddened by Jackson’s death but was not moved to pay homage at The O2 or indeed to book for Thriller Live at The Lyric Theatre. I wont be paying for the souvenir ticket or any of the merchandise now on sale for the biggest non-gig of the century.

Instead I took the rare opportunity to have a night at home with my family. When my sons went to bed I treated myself to an evening of listening to some of my favourite music. The song that touched me most was “Dive” by Show of Hands. It made me feel so sad that I went and gave my sons an extra kiss goodnight.

Perhaps I owe Michael Jackson a vote of thanks for allowing me the time to reflect on what really matters in life.  I wonder how other fans will spend their free night?

‘The legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at 2:26 pm (Los Angeles time). It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known.

His personal physician, who was with him at the time, attempted to resuscitate Jackson, as did paramedics who transported him to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre. Upon arriving at the hospital at approximately 1:14 pm, a team of doctors, including emergency physicians and cardiologists, attempted to resuscitate him for a period of more than one hour but were unsuccessful.’

All of us at Visit London are very sad to hear this news and send our deepest sympathy to Michael’s family at this time. 

I have been a life-long Michael Jackson fan (we’re about the same age and I immediately fell in love with the kid with the amazing voice and dance moves in 1969) and was looking forward to his performances at the O2.  I hope that the controversy which has surrounded his life in recent years will not be remembered.  Rather, we remember his genius as a popular entertainer and his appeal to so many people.  I am sat in the office opposite a very bright 16 year old student here on work experience.  Both of us are equally touched by Michael Jackson’s brilliant music.   

I’m now going to put Michael Jackson music on for the rest of the day.  And do some work of course!