Premium Content:

Cirque Du Soleil Honour Michael Jackson with Immortal

Dancing Machine_2848_0889_RIt’s hard to think of Michael Jackson without thinking about the massive amount of bizarre behaviour, rumours  and accusations that surrounded the latter part of his life.

The greatest achievement of Cirque Du Soleil’s ‘Immortal’ is it manages to set aside all that craziness in order to present a tribute to the late singer that focuses solely on his music, his performance style and the message he aimed to communicate.

- Advertisement -

This show is nowhere near as grand as Cirque Du Soleil’s other extravaganzas, like ‘Ovo’ which visited Perth earlier this year. It does successfully meld the best parts of the Cirque Du Soleil experience of acrobatic back flips, high flying wire work, comedy and spectacle with the best parts of Jackson’s work – great songs, style and messages of unity, peace and humanity. The stage is filled with huge video screens, a live band and an army of talented performers.

The show kicks of with five super fans creating a mural to Jackson, from here we kick off a journey that takes us through the world of Neverland, Jackson’s love of animals, storytelling and dance. The show’s super highlights are in the second half of the program, an army of cybermen styled robots take to the stage during ‘They Don’t Care About Us’  with LED breast plates that communicate a range of messages.

The heart stings are given a huge pull when the curtain drops and a young Michael is projected onto a huge screen singing ‘I’ll Be There’. The power of the young Jackson’s voice is striking. When we hit the disco section of the show featuring The Jackson’s ‘Can You Feel It’ and ‘Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough’ it’s almost impossible to not start dancing in your seat with the catchy tunes. When the dancers performing during the tune suddenly turn on LED lights embedded within their costumes it’s a visual spectacular.

The show makes the most of the massive amount of iconography associated with Jackson through life size dancing gloves and giant light up boardwalks. The music is amazing, and you forget that it’s all being played live except for Jackson’s vocals.

Overwhelming though is the feeling that Jackson himself is missing, the bands there, the dancers, the spectacle and the voice, but the missing presence can’t be ignored.

Cirque Du Soleil’s ‘Immortal’ is at the Perth Arena from September 18 -22.

Latest

City of Subiaco to help local creatives build their careers

Elise Wilson and Sophie Minissale will be sponsored to attend the BANDWIDTH Amplify program.

WA government says its still progressing plan to address conversion therapy

Roger Cook first began tackling the issue as Health Minister in 2017.

Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth to step down

Ruth has lead the Victorian based organisation for 12 years.

Walkern Wirin: Boorloo Blak Pride will be part of PrideFEST 2025

An event to honour all LGBTIQA+ First Nations people, alongside their supportive friends and family.

Newsletter

Don't miss

City of Subiaco to help local creatives build their careers

Elise Wilson and Sophie Minissale will be sponsored to attend the BANDWIDTH Amplify program.

WA government says its still progressing plan to address conversion therapy

Roger Cook first began tackling the issue as Health Minister in 2017.

Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth to step down

Ruth has lead the Victorian based organisation for 12 years.

Walkern Wirin: Boorloo Blak Pride will be part of PrideFEST 2025

An event to honour all LGBTIQA+ First Nations people, alongside their supportive friends and family.

Associate Professor Michelle Telfer nominated for Human Rights Award

See all the nominees for the 2025 Human Rights Awards.

City of Subiaco to help local creatives build their careers

Elise Wilson and Sophie Minissale will be sponsored to attend the BANDWIDTH Amplify program.

WA government says its still progressing plan to address conversion therapy

Roger Cook first began tackling the issue as Health Minister in 2017.

Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth to step down

Ruth has lead the Victorian based organisation for 12 years.