Brilliant tribute to the King of Pop live in Coventry

The World’s Greatest Michael Jackson Concert, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. On until Saturday July 2. Box office 024 7655 3055.

THIS thoroughly enjoyable family show was a real treat – also a bit of a surprise.

Ben as ‘Michael Jackson UK’ King of Pop was joined – direct from Las Vegas – by Queen of Pop, Madonna (Melissa Totten). Her warm-up act was both cheeky and raunchy, though parody rather than straight imitation. Nevertheless, she was a dead ringer for Madonna – with a lovely voice and did a great job.

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Then, the hushed darkness and the show proper started, the dry ice, the lights, the lot! It was Las Vegas comes to Coventry.

The sound of 500 plus people having a great time was marvellous in itself. We sang along, we waved our arms, we danced, we listened to some great music – including some really great songs I’ve never heard before. Gone Too Soon, a quiet ballad, beautifully presented and introduced by the recording of the incredible news the day we learnt he’d died. The Man in the Mirror stole the show – and we bayed for more – which duly arrived.

Ben was brilliant – energetic, engaging, entertaining. The set was simple and much simpler than I was expecting, the dancers good – and his great pop tunes had us entertained.

The King of Pop lives. And a whole lot of people had a whole lot of fun.

Jane Howard