I went to the Prince Edward theater today with a friend to see the MJ musical. I was greeted at the door by an access host, Ariana, who was amazing all the way through.
She made sure that I got drinks from the bar, my order in the interval, access to the toilets, which was on the ground floor. The wheelchair seat is on the first floor and accessed via Greek Street. In order to get to the foyer and toilets, from your seat, in the grand circle, you have to go out and then back in again. This was where the access host was invaluable.
So close to Christmas, this was an amazing start to Xmas. We went to the matinee performance. The musical itself was two and a half hours long with a 20 minute interval after 1 hour. The access host was on hand to help with movement between the seats and the foyer.
The musical cast simply amazing as were all staff that I had encountered. There was no lip sync. The singing was entirely from the actors themselves. I had presumed, because they were so good, that they were dubbing over a Michael Jackson album. I couldn't have been more wrong. Prices for the drinks and food weren't bad for a West end venue. The theatre was very plush, and cared for. Originally built in the 1930s for the then Prince of Wales, Prince Edward, (who became Edward VIII and then subsequently the Duke to Windsor after his abdication).
The theatre was renovated in 1993, at a cost of £5 million. When filled to capacity, it can hold up to 1400 people. Today was probably just short of that. I alerted staff to the fact I have an allergy, and they ensured that, as much as possible, the surroundings and the area that I was in were clear of any allergen risk for me.
I'm delighted to say, due to careful preparation from my end, (and also from the staff at the Prince Edward theater) no significant incident occurred. It's the first time I have been in an environment with this many people exposed to so many potential risks, and not developed an anaphylactic reaction. I commend all the staff, who are involved in my visit.
There are three words of caution, especially for disabled visitors.
We were told that there were disabled bays very close to the theatre. We didn't actually find any on street disabled parking close to the theatre. That said, we decided in the end, to come by taxi. That was a very wise choice, given the all-parking choices in the immediate locality were very limited and the streets around the theatre were also very narrow, but very busy with pedestrians.
That brings me on to the second point of caution. If arranging transport to pick you up afterwards, I would suggest that it is better for them to meet you on Greek Street, which is around the corner from the main entrance to the Prince Edward theatre in Old Compton Street. This is where disabled customers will come out from the theatre. Although this applies equally to all customers. Greek Street is considerably quieter. There is also meant to be on street parking in Greek Street close to the theatre, but we didn't find it.
My final point, relates to those in an electric wheelchair. Some of the doors going to the grand circle are very narrow. A customer with a large electric chair and be seated A few feet away. The electric chair is moved by the access host to a centrally reserved area and returned at the end.
Accessible tickets were bought directly from Delphont McIntosh, who own the theatre. The whole process was very easy. In fact I had to change the tickets on 2 occasions, due to unexpected hospital admissions.. The theatre had no issue with this whatsoever, and reissued the tickets on a further day. The only problem was that it was 3 months ahead, showing how popular this show is. Fortunately, for me, this show was 2 days before Christmas. What a treat! 😄
On Broadway, MJ musical vastly exceeded the outlay in production costs with ticket sales. It's now on tour. London dates have been extended to at least March next year.
I've been to several theatres now in London, but this one was the most organised, and definitely the...
Read moreI recently attended the musical about Michael Jackson and was impressed by the lead actor who portrayed this legendary figure. No matter how talented someone is, comparisons to the original will always exist, and no one can replicate his uniqueness. Nevertheless, the actor did an excellent job in his role, and I genuinely enjoyed the performance.
However, unfortunately, the plot of the musical wasn't as compelling as that of other well-known productions like "Mamma Mia!" which is something you want to watch over and over again. I have deep respect for Michael and his contributions to pop culture, and he deserves a more ambitious musical that truly reflects his legacy. With modern technology, it's possible to create incredible shows, and I hope that in the future we will see something truly grand, worthy of the King of Pop.
The musical about Tina Turner, for example, was more expansive and really delved into her journey and personality. In contrast, the musical about Michael Jackson did not fully develop his character. I read that this musical received a Tony Award, but if they could create something similar to the ABBA concert, I believe it would be much more impressive and grand.
The choreography in the musical was good, but I really missed many of Michael Jackson's hits. The plot did not fully explore his character. It was suggested that Michael remained a big child throughout his life—sensitive and vulnerable—and the world of adults was too complicated for him. He embodied innocence and purity, like an eternal child who still swims in the ocean of love from his fans' hearts.
I also felt there was a lack of his songs, and the production seemed somewhat weak. However, the actors and musicians gave their all, for which I am grateful. My criticisms are directed primarily at the producers. I understand that producing a show is a massive financial undertaking, but, frankly, Michael deserves better! His performances, with millions of fans, would pay off and generate much more profit.
Overall, I recommend this musical to everyone because anything related to Michael Jackson is always beautiful and impressive. However, I will be waiting and hoping for a truly grand show worthy of the...
Read moreElectrifying Performance at the Michael Jackson Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre 🎤✨
The Michael Jackson theatre musical was an incredible experience, bringing the King of Pop’s greatest hits to life with phenomenal performances, high-energy choreography, and outstanding vocals. From start to finish, the show perfectly captured the essence of MJ’s legacy, making it an absolute must-see for any fan.
The storyline focuses on the lead-up to the Dangerous Tour, showcasing the challenges Michael and his team faced, along with the risks they took to bring the legendary tour to life. It also dives into his backstory, exploring his childhood, career, and complex relationship with his family. Unlike other portrayals, the musical presents a balanced view, highlighting both the highs and struggles of his journey, making it feel more real and insightful.
📸 Note: Photos weren’t allowed inside, as staff mentioned no photography during the performance—a shame because the production was visually stunning!
The cast was phenomenal, with the lead flawlessly replicating MJ’s signature moves and vocals. From the moonwalk to his unmistakable style, every detail was on point. The dancers and live band added to the energy, ensuring a captivating performance from start to finish.
The set design and lighting were spectacular, creating visually stunning moments that transported the audience into MJ’s world. Each song was performed with incredible passion, and classics like Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, Thriller, and Beat It had the entire theatre buzzing with excitement—those were my personal favourites!
One thing I found interesting was that it made me want to learn more about the Dangerous Tour, so I ended up going on YouTube afterwards to watch footage—just to see what all the hype was about! It’s rare for a musical to spark that level of curiosity, but this show truly delivered an immersive and informative experience.
If you’re a fan of MJ’s music or simply love electrifying performances, this musical is a must-see. Highly recommended for an unforgettable night of...
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