THRILLER LIVE! to Implement New Opening, Video Content & More

As it gears up to celebrate a record-breaking 7th year in the West End, Thriller Live is announcing major changes to the production, including a new opening, new video content and the addition of iconic Michael Jackson songs - Earth Song and HIStory.

At the same time, a second production of Thriller Live opens in Perth, Australia next week at the start of an extensive first ever tour of Australia and New Zealand - the 29th and 30th countries globally to host the acclaimed show.

"We are totally unique among West End musicals in that we regularly update the show," says producer Paul Walden. "As we prepare to smash two more long standing West End records we are adding new songs, stunning additional choreography, new video footage and a new opening to keep the production fresh and vibrant. Michael Jackson was known as a perfectionist and we constantly strive to ensure that Thriller Live, celebrating the genius of his songwriting and trend-setting dance moves, is the very best experience it can be for his fans and lovers of his music worldwide."

Earth Song, which topped the UK Singles Chart for six weeks over Christmas in 1995 and sold one million copies, making it Michael Jackson's most successful UK single, and HIStory were both tracks on HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, MJ's ninth studio album.

This week marks 31 years since MTV aired the world premiere of the full 13-minute version of Michael Jackson's Thriller music video for the first time - it's the iconic title track to Thriller Live and without doubt the most influential pop video of all time.

Thriller Live is currently the 20th longest running West End musical of all time. But on Saturday 24 January 2015 - just two days after the show celebrates its 7th West End anniversary - it will overtake the two decade-old record set by the revival of Grease (which ran 2529 performances before closing) and on Sunday April 12 will leap frog the original 1960 production of Oliver! (2,618 performances) to become the 18th longest runner.

The latest West End cast features: John Moabi, Haydon Eshun, Jesse Smith, Cleo Higgins, David Jordan, Britt Quentin, Michael Kavuma, Shanice Steele, Christopher Gordon, Christian Sharrier, Myron Birch, Dak Mashava, Lindon Barr, Daniel Bradford, Stefan Sinclair, Paris Green, Jordan Palmer, Jessica Craft, Renata Carvalho, Chloe Ferns, Jayde Nelson, Lauren Gore, Alice Rhodes, Kyle Johnson, Eshan Gopal, Elijah Crossley, Kierran Rogers - Bedminster, Daniel Odejinmi and Ramon Smith.

Thriller Live recently extended its booking period at the Lyric Theatre to 6 September 2015.

In Australia Thriller Live will play Perth (12-21 Dec), Adelaide (30 Dec - 11-Jan) , Brisbane (14-25 Jan), Melbourne (28 Jan - 8-Feb) & Sydney 26 Feb - 15-Mar) . In New Zealand it will be at The Civic, Aukland from 12 - 22 February 2015.

Thriller Live is the longest-running production in the Lyric Theatre's 125-year history. It first moonwalked into the West End in January 2009 after three acclaimed UK tours. Thriller - Live brings to life on stage the distinctive high-energy dancing and pulsating sound of many of pop's greatest hits, blending eye- popping video footage and effects together with dazzling choreography by the show's award-winning director Gary Lloyd.

It was originally conceived and created by Adrian Grant, a long time associate of Michael Jackson, and author of Michael Jackson - The Visual Documentary. It is produced by Paul Walden and Derek Nicol for Flying Music in association with Adrian Grant for Key Concerts.