Thriller Live smashes yet another West End record! After 3,304 performances it topples Me & My Girl to become the 16th Longest-Running Musical of all Time!
Thriller Live has smashed yet another West End record to become London’s 16th Longest Running Musical of all time.
On Sunday, December 18, the cast performed the 3,304th show at the Lyric Theatre to overtake “Me & My Girl”, which opened in 1985, to snatch the record.
And another is due to fall soon… on Saturday February 4th 2017, Thriller Live will play its 3,358th show at the Lyric, when it will topple Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s legendary 1972 rock opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar” to become no 15 in the official West End Hall of Fame.
Thriller Live, the West End concert spectacular, created to celebrate the career of the world’s greatest entertainer, Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five, is currently the 7th longest running West End Musical still playing – but that will change again when “Jersey Boys” closes in March.
Thriller Live recently announced yet another new booking period to October 1, 2017. Thriller Live first opened in the West End in January 2009. It never fails to get the audience on its feet and has received nightly standing ovations at the Lyric Theatre, where it holds the record as the longest-running show since the theatre started entertaining the capital in December 1888.
Thriller Live recently sold its 2 millionth West End ticket and has now been seen by over 4 milion people in 33 countries and played over 5,100 performances worldwide.
Thriller Live sets out on January 27 on a major new tour, playing 12 theatres across the UK, Germany and Macau. The UK tour dates are: Southport Theatre (27 & 28 Jan); Eden Court Theatre, Inverness (30 Jan – 4 Feb); His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (6 – 11 Feb); Norwich Theatre Royal (13 – 18 Feb); Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (21- 25 Feb); Venue Cymru, Llandudno (27 Feb – 1 March); Sands Centre Carlisle (2 – 4 March); Gaiety Theatre Dublin (6 – 11 March); Waterfront Hall, Belfast (16 – 18 March); Grand Theatre Swansea (20 – 25 March).
The West End’s Longest Runners
(as at Sunday 18th December, 2016)
1. Les Misérables, 1985
still running, over 12,884 performances
2. The Phantom Of The Opera, 1986
still running, over 12,552 performances
3. Blood Brothers, 1988
(closed, 10,013 performances)
4. Cats, 1981
(closed, 8,949 performances)
5. Mamma Mia!, 1999
still running, over 7,409 performances
6. Starlight Express, 1984
(closed, 7,406 performances)
7. Disney’s The Lion King, 1999
still running, over 7,175 performances
8. Chicago, 1997 revival
(closed, 6,187 performances)
9. Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, 1989
(closed, 5,140 performances)
10. We Will Rock You, 2002
(closed, 4,659 performances)
11. Billy Elliot The Musical, 2005
(closed, 4,566 performances)
12. Wicked, 2006
still running, over 4,291 performances
13. Miss Saigon, 1989
(original 1989 production / closed – 4,264 performances)
14. Jersey Boys, 2008
still running, over 3,657 performances
15. Jesus Christ Superstar, 1972
(original 1972 production / closed, 3,357 performances)
16. Thriller Live, 2009
still running, over 3,304 performances
17. Me And My Girl, 1985
(1985 revival / closed – 3,303 performances)
18. Evita, 1978
(original 1978 production / closed – 2,900 performances)
19. Oliver!, 1960
(original 1960 production / closed – 2,618 performances)
20. Grease!, 1993
(1993 revival / closed – 2,529 performances)
Thriller Live is unlike other West End musicals. There is no script or story, it is instead an eye-popping spectacular concert celebration of Michael Jackson’s music and dance legacy, bringing to life on stage his amazing high-energy dancing and the pulsating sound of many of pop’s greatest hits, featuring specially
created video footage and effects and dazzling choreography by the show’s award-winning director, Gary Lloyd.
The current Thriller Live West End company are: Angelica Allen, J Brock, Dajiow, Haydon Eshun, Alex Ko, John Moabi, Stefan Sinclair, Reece Bahia, Tyrone Henry, Cordell Mosteller, Ione Townsend, Aisling Duffy, Florivaldo Mossi, Leslie Bowman, Myron Birch, Ebony Clarke, Ella Coghill, Jamal Crawford, Victoria Lamm, Arnold Mabhena, Ashley-Jordan Packer, Helen Parsons, Jacinta Seivers, Steven Thompson, Thomas Remaili, Sophie Usher, Aled Arhyel Charles, Remi Gooding, Zayn Johnson, Zuriel Williams-Kabasomi and Daniel Odejinmi.
The band are:
Musical Director, Guitar, Keyboard 2 John Maher
Assistant Musical Director, Keyboard 1 Ryan Farmery
Guitar 1 Damien Cooper
Bass Oliver Latka
Drums Mike Bradley
Percussion Accy Yeats
The creative team are:
Director and Choreographer Gary Lloyd
Original concept and Executive Director Adrian Grant
Musical Supervisor and Head Arranger John Maher
Set Designer Jonathan Park
Lighting Designer Nigel Catmur
Associate Lighting Designer Matt Lee
Video Content Designer Colin Rozee & Potion Pictures
Costume Stylists and Supervisors Shooting Flowers
Sound Designer Chris Whybrow
Casting Director Debbie O’Brien
Associate Choreographer: Jo Dyce
Media Programmer: Sam MacLaren
Producers:
Paul Walden and Derek Nicol for Flying Music in association with Adrian Grant for Key Concerts.
Thrille Live was originally conceived and created by Adrian Grant, a long time associate of Michael Jackson, and author of Michael Jackson – The Visual Documentary.
Evenings: Tuesday to Friday and Sunday 7.30pm and Saturday 8.00pm
Matinees: Saturday 4.00pm and Sunday 3.30pm
Lyric Theatre Seating Plan
Running Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Age Restrictions: Suitable for ages 8 and over.
Important Info: Contains constant use of flashing LED screen and some strobe lighting.