In August 2006, Thriller – Live was previewed in the UK, at the Dominion Theatre. At the time, Adrian Grant (theatrical producer) spoke of why he came up with the concept and the prospect of taking it to the West End. He started a British fan club in 1988, and then Jackson invited him out to Los Angeles when he was recording Dangerous. Within a few years the fan club had grown to 25,000 subscribed members. This led to an annual Michael Jackson tribute show from 1991, the tenth anniversary event was attended by Jackson himself. A single tribute show attracted anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 people. Grant also wrote three books, including Michael Jackson – The Visual Documentary which was approved by the singer. Jackson was never involved with the production of Thriller – Live, but wished Grant luck with the production.
In 2007, Adrian Grant, backed by Flying Music began production for a UK Tour of Thriller – Live. The show was originally directed and choreographed by Kerys Nathan and with additional choreography by LaVelle Smith Jnr. The first UK tour featured the talents of Shaheen Jafargholi depicting the young Michael in the Jackson 5. The adult singers included Pop Idol star Zoe Birkett and Australian vocalist Mig Ayesa. The show played a successful set of dates throughout May–June 2007 and later that year a European tour.
Production for the West End version began in 2008, when open auditions were held to find a young actor to play Jackson. Ultimately six people would play the singer, going through the various stages of his career, with a total cast of 21 individuals—including Denise Pearson. Choreography was handled by director Gary Lloyd, who has previously worked with artists including Leona Lewis, Will Young, Robbie Williams and Girls Aloud and five time MTV award-winner LaVelle Smith Jnr. The West End premiere was on 21 January 2009, at the Lyric Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue. Tito Jackson, Lucy Pinder, Vanessa Feltz, Nicholas Hoult, Ciara Janson and Jessica Taylor attended the premiere. La Toya Jackson attended the after show party, following her departure from Celebrity Big Brother.
Thriller – Live was originally supposed to run until 16 May 2009, but this date has been extended several times following wide public interest, especially after the death of Michael Jackson on the 25th June 2009.
Thriller – Live will be playing in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands, Grand Theater, from 3 May 2011 to 15 May 2011.
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