MJ The Musical, Prince Edward Theatre
Set during rehearsals for Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous world tour, MJ: The Musical takes us inside two days of intense preparation at the peak of his international stardom. This wasn’t just any tour, it was a record-breaking success and encompassed 69 shows across Europe, America and Asia. Like the tour, the musical is meticulously crafted, with every detail choreographed, rethought and perfected. It reflects Jackson’s famous drive for excellence and gives the impression that he is the architect of the production. This is a snapshot of MJ at the height of his fame, obsessed with creating something unforgettable. The structure cleverly weaves flashbacks into the rehearsal narrative. We meet three versions of Michael: the Jackson 5-era child under the thumb of an ambitious father; the emerging megastar of the Thriller and Bad eras (played by Mitchell Zhangazha) and the older, reflective MJ, rehearsing for Dangerous and grappling with his past. Jamaal Fields-Green is outstanding as the older MJ. He channels Jackson’s voice, physicality and charisma without falling into parody. His performance is deeply compelling, at times joyful, other times haunted, but always captivating.
At the heart of this musical is a powerful exploration of Jackson’s artistry. It’s a pleasure to dive into the wide scope of musical influences that inspired Jackson, ranging from Motown and Quincy Jones to Fred Astaire and global rhythms. The show captures how he absorbed the world’s music and movement, transforming it into something uniquely his own. The show utterly translates that music wasn’t just a job for Jackson but rather it was who he was. Of course, nowadays, you can’t mention Michael Jackson without acknowledging everything we now know. He is a sensitive topic and a highly controversial figure in some respects. Whilst this musical doesn’t shy away from MJ’s darker realities, it doesn’t delve too deeply either. It touches on the suffocating pressure of fame, media intrusion, isolation, addiction and the heavy toll of being the most famous man on the planet. Allegations and controversies are only hinted at and never confirmed or denied. I did, however, feel that their presence was certainly felt throughout. The show leaves just enough space for the audience to reflect. It doesn’t try to paint Michael as a hero, but instead acknowledges him as he was in 1992 - a man trapped in a position no one had ever occupied before: the most famous human being on the planet. His every move was scrutinised and there was no escaping the relentless glare of the public eye.
Hits like ‘Human Nature', ‘Price of Fame’, and ‘Man in the Mirror’ are placed strategically to heighten emotion and move the story forward. A darker reimagining of ‘Thriller’, where MJ loses control, is particularly impactful. It is a darker, more psychological take that hints at MJ’s lack of control over his own narrative. Yet the show never leans on the music. The storytelling, dancing, and acting could stand alone and still be worth the ticket. Every element is executed flawlessly. The choreography is razor-sharp, the vocals impeccable, and the pacing tight. This is a production that demands perfection and delivers it. Like Jackson himself, the show is driven by ambition, precision and spectacle.
It’s not a biography, nor a full reckoning of his life. Instead, it captures a moment, one man under pressure, obsessed with his craft, living at the intersection of genius and collapse. This Michael isn’t the untouchable icon we’re used to seeing but a real, complex human being full of emotion, conflict and vulnerability. That’s a story worth telling. To summarise, MJ: The Musical is a theatrical experience as thrilling, complex and unforgettable as its subject. Go see it and then decide for yourself. The cast is phenomenal, the staging masterful and the energy off the charts. This is more than the music. It’s a deep dive into artistry, ambition and the price of fame. Above all, it’s a spectacular piece of theatre.