MOONWALKING THROUGH HISTORY
There are tribute shows, and then there are productions that tap into something bigger – the electricity, spectacle and cultural force of a once-in-a-generation icon.
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS
AUDIENCES AT THE Playhouse have the chance to experience exactly that when The Michael Jackson HIStory Show lands in Darwin for one unforgettable night.
Presented by AANT Centre and Showtime Australia, the touring production celebrates 30 years since Michael Jackson’s monumental HIStory world tour, recreating the sound, style and sheer theatricality that made the King of Pop a global phenomenon.
For anyone who grew up trying to perfect the moonwalk in the living room, memorising the choreography from ‘Thriller’, or blasting ‘Beat It’, through tinny car speakers, this is a full-scale nostalgia trip wrapped in arena-level production values. But even younger audiences discovering Jackson’s catalogue for the first time are likely to find themselves swept up in the spectacle.
Fronted by acclaimed performer Garth Field, the show traces Jackson’s musical evolution from the infectious groove of the Jackson 5 through to the polished pop dominance that defined the 80s and beyond. Expect all the classics: ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Smooth Criminal’, ‘Bad’, ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough’, ‘Human Nature’, ‘Thriller’ and plenty more, performed live with a full band, dancers and dazzling visual effects.
“I think the two songs I recall that get the most hype is ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Thriller’,” says Field.
“It’s two iconic songs that are so innovative, creative and have never been done by any artist before. It changed the game in music history – Thriller being the number one selling album of all time and ‘Billie Jean’ being the f irst music video from a black artist to be aired on MTV ever. March 10, 1983 will always be an important day in music history.”
Field says the biggest challenge of stepping into the role of Jackson is the preparation before every performance.
“This includes the physical and mental preparation as well as the vocal warmups that are of course necessary to ensure my entire performance is at its peak to deliver the attributes of Michael Jackson,” he says.
“It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Stepping into a role like this takes years and years of working constantly on your craft. I always motivate myself of this by repeating Usain Bolt’s words, ‘Competition is easy, but the hard work is behind the scenes.’ Emulating any person, especially someone as unique and easily recognised as MJ, takes dedication and perseverance which are the exact traits I apply to my craft.”
What sets The Michael Jackson HIStory Show apart from your average tribute act is the commitment to recreating the scale and drama of a genuine Michael Jackson concert experience. This is not karaoke with sequins. It’s a carefully crafted stage production packed with precision choreography, cinematic lighting, authentic costumes and the kind of crowd-pleasing energy designed to get audiences out of their seats.
“You can see by the scale of this production, a lot of work went into preparation, but finding the right cast, technical crew and management is the key here,” Field says.
“We have musicians and performers of similar styles and genres who too studied the greats and always worked in many big shows before. Everyone plays a huge role in this, especially during preparation which can take up to three hours to set. We must appreciate and say a huge thank you to the crew behind the scenes. They work tirelessly to get this show looking and feeling like the best concert you have ever attended.”
Jackson’s influence on modern music and performance is impossible to overstate. Long before viral dance trends and stadium pop spectacles became standard, he was redefining what a live show could look and feel like. His blend of music, dance, fashion and visual storytelling changed pop culture forever, influencing generations of artists across every genre imaginable.
Field says Jackson’s music and stage presence continues to connect so strongly with today’s audiences because of the fusion of unparalleled music innovation, world-class stage presence and relatability on a deeper emotional connection.
“His ability to connect and blend genres like pop, rock and soul, and high-energy dance routines and iconic moves, leaves audiences mesmorised,” he says.
That enduring legacy is part of why tribute productions like this continue to resonate so strongly. They offer fans a rare chance to reconnect with the music in a live setting – loud, communal and joyfully over-the-top. In an era where so much entertainment is consumed through phones and algorithms, there’s something undeniably special about hearing a theatre full of people collectively lose their minds the second that iconic bassline from ‘Billie Jean’ kicks in.
Running for two and a half hours including an interval, the performance promises a high-energy evening packed with hit after hit. Whether you’re a lifelong Michael Jackson devotee or simply chasing a big night out in Darwin, this production shapes up to be pure pop escapism.
Just don’t be surprised if you leave attempting the moonwalk on the footpath outside the theatre.
The Michael Jackson HIStory Show
WHEN WED 17 JUN
AT AANT CENTRE
COST $59-$69
INFO yourcentre.com.au
