MJ The Musical (West End) — My Review

Date: 28 October 2025
Theatre: Prince Edward Theatre
Seat / Price: Stalls, Row ZC, Seat 12 — £45
Time: 7:30pm–9:40pm

I saw MJ on Broadway about two weeks earlier; this West End visit let me watch with a clearer ear and focus on detail. The show frames Michael in Dangerous Tour rehearsals, moving between present-day creation and past memories.

Good Points

💡 How lighting edits the story in real time

The production switches between present action and memory with sharp lighting cues: a snap to isolate young Michael, a quick shift when a parental voice cuts into his thoughts. Those instant transitions keep the tempo crisp and make the flashbacks feel motivated rather than ornamental.

💃 Ensemble power (and depth) 🎙️

As on Broadway, the dancers and singers are remarkably strong. Even in moments without the central Michael, the stage holds shape and tension — numbers are clean, musical, and fully worth watching on their own terms.

Summary

On a second viewing I enjoyed the storytelling more and felt the show’s perspective on MJ’s work ethic and process. That said, this particular evening read a touch cooler than my Broadway night — less heat, sensitivity and volatility from the centre. My hunch is simple human variance (perhaps the lead was managing vocal load or end-of-day fatigue), and that ripple seemed to lower the room’s energy feedback loop.

It’s also a reminder of what live theatre is: no two nights are the same. When the engine runs hot, MJ is electrifying; even on a steadier night, the craft — especially the lighting grammar and the ensemble’s precision — is easy to admire.

🔸 My Instagram 🔸
https://www.instagram.com/isokazu_oyama/