Michael Jackson is such an icon of entertainment that any attempt to create a show that delivers on his legacy in a befitting way is going to have to be exceptional and is perhaps almost an impossible job. However, we have seen that it can be achieved with the likes of MJ The Musical.
Man In The Mirror, produced by The Entertainers, seeks to celebrate MJ's legacy with a two hour concert style vibe but sadly it doesn't consistently hit the mark, making it less of a Thriller and rather making you want to Beat It. The band, led by MD and bass player Nic Southward is the flawless element of this tribute, recreating the sound and making the music fill the auditorium.
Michael is presented to us in the form of CJ Harrison, who has been touring worldwide as MJ for 15 years, and there's a strong start to his performance, particularly vocally which makes the audience feel hope for the next two hours. Sadly, in this performance at least, it's all a bit inconsistent. The octaves became lower and in some points the backing track and audience were more audible.
There's glimpses of magic in the choreography, particularly in Smooth Criminal and there's all the iconic moves such as the Moonwalk, but it felt rigid for the most part. Harrison was assisted by four backing dancers, all of whom brought energy to the show but the choreography didn't do them justice.
There were some confusing choices in the show such as the backing dancers donning afro wigs during a Jackson five medley whilst our Michael stayed exactly as he was during the previous song. Also in a sequence where the audience was encouraged to light up the auditorium with their phones, which should be atmospheric, they were drowned out by the stage lighting which made it lose all effectiveness.
The large video screen used to provide a visual element to the show felt lazily used and very amateurish with an exception being the Thriller sequence. The costumes MJ used to wear were iconic, but here they just looked like a cheap imitation at best.
Whilst this review may seem harsh, with the very high standards MJ set himself in putting on a show, you can always judge a show by the audience reactions and sadly here, bar one or two people, there was no dancing in the aisles and there was no voluntary clapping along and it all just lacked a bit of atmosphere. It gave more holiday camp vibes which is fine in that environment but for a touring tribute show it just lacked the extra glitz, slickness in choreography and consistent vocals that would've been more of a befitting legacy to MJ.
Man in the Mirror is embarking on a UK tour until 4th July.
★★☆☆☆ (2*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography provided by the PR
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