This latest incarnation of Thriller Live comes direct from the West End at the end of a lengthy UK tour and it is a slick, well- oiled dazzling production.

The record-breaking show, now in it's eighth year, has never called itself a musical although to call it a concert or even a tribute doesn't do it justice.

Part of me may have hankered for a little bit of storytelling and traditional theatrics but this was soon quashed as we were swept along by the joy and energy of this all- singing, all- dancing musical celebration of the King of Pop.

It is now seven years since Michael Jackson's untimely death at the age of 51 on the eve of his London come-back concerts, and the show continues to remind us of the extraordinary music talent the world has lost whilst celebrating his four incredible decades of hits.

The production values are epic with stunning lights, wonderful and plentiful costumes, and a big, authentic sound with live band.

But the multi- talented cast are particularly awe- inspiring with five brilliant lead vocalists sharing the Michael Jackson role - including the outstanding Cleopatra Higgins, best known as the lead singer with 90's pop group Cleopatra.

The highly energetic choreography, including everything from back- flips to Moon Walking, is breath- taking.

The show starts with the early Jackson 5 material with hits like ABC and Rockin' Robin and moves through his greatest solo material culminating in the hits from the albums Thriller and Bad- pop, rock and disco hits spanning four incredible decades.

It is a celebration of Jackson's creativity and his legacy as well as his humanitarian vision of peace, love and harmony with songs like They Don't Care About Us and Earth Song striking a chord more than ever in our troubled times.

The show seems to gather momentum and even more energy and emotion in the second half with numbers like The Way You Make Me Feel, Smooth Criminal, Man in the Mirror, Thriller and Bad, but with every track a winner last night's audience lapped up the experience throughout.

The show closes at the Mayflower on Saturday .