ADRIAN GRANT, the man behind this tribute to the music of Michael Jackson, gracefully admits that nobody can ever truly emulate the legend.

This talented company of singers and dancers manages to capture some of the excitement and artistry of the master without resorting to caricature.

Tyler McLean as the young Jackson made a shaky start but gained in confidence when joined by the other members of the “Jackson Five”. I don’t really know the difference between body-popping and breakdancing, but whatever this kid was doing looked terrific! The seven lead vocalists are excellent, especially when on-stage together, and each brings their own interpretation to Jackson’s well-known hit songs. Pop Idol’s Hayley Evetts performs an effective version of The Way You Make Me Feel, and Peter Murphy’s strong voice never wavers, even during She’s Out of my Life when Jacko used to sob for a few lines.

Michael Anthony Duke does a good approximation of Jackson’s dance moves in Billie Jean and Smooth Operator, which is tremendous fun and includes the famous 45-degree forward lean by the male dancers.

I wondered about the costumes, and whether the real wardrobe failed to arrive in time – many look cheap and illfitting and although they can get away with it in the disco era when everything we wore was cheap and ill-fitting, it’s really noticeable during the Earth Song that nobody’s trousers are the right length. But it’s the music and dancing that count, and on this hot night the company gave us a taste of Michael Jackson’s magic.

Until Saturday, June 6.

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