Thriller Live @ The Empire Theatre

It may be nearly two years since the superstar's tragic death, but going by the reaction of the audience at the Liverpool Empire last night, it seems that the music of Michael Jackson is as popular as ever.

Brought to the stage by Adrian Grant, Thriller Live celebrates the back catalogue of one of the most talented stars the world has ever seen.

The show begins with an X-Factor style montage, complete with images of the king of pop and facts about his career. The only thing missing is te voice-over by Peter Dickson.

The first half follows Jackson's music as he sings with his brothers in the Jackson Five. Too many of these songs are lost on the audience and so it takes a while to build any atmosphere. Die hard fans may be engaged during this segment, but too many people around me started to grow restless.

The audience interaction is a nice touch, but goes on too long. Altogether there is a distinct lack of substance in the first half.

The second half of the show is much better, with a barrage of instantly recognisable hits. "Beat it" is a real highlight, as well as the title song. This is where the show really becomes alive, the catchy melodies and lyrics tearing deep into your soul.

Hayley Evetts, who reached the final five in the inaugual series of Pop Idol, sand many of the hit songs. Her vocals were excellent and she has a realstage presence.

The standout performance though, came from Nathan James, whos unique voie gave a real edge to Jacksons lyrics. The live band also gives an added energy to the production.

At times the music drowns out the singng, and there were a few problem with the sound last night.

The dancin and the choreography are outstanding. The whole ensemble give their all, performing much of the late singers complex routines with ease throughout the two hour show.

The set includes a series of screens, onto which projections are added to change the mood and the atmosphere of each era,

Not suprisingly, the show doesn't mention anything about Jackson's offstage persona. This makes the show slightly less exciting, as many people found his real-life antics just as interesting as his music and dancing, particularly his more recent years.

Despite the lack of extra substance to the show, Thriller Live is undoubtably an enjoyable ight out, showcasing the music of one of the legends of pop music. Fans of Michael Jackson are in for a treat.

6/10