The economy might be melting and the US may be ushering in a new political dawn, but the question I've been grappling with this morning is: just who will play Michael Jackson on the West End stage?
In news to warm even my cynical little heart, the Lyric theatre has announced plans to hold "open auditions" to find the new star of Thriller Live, a musical tribute to the crotch-pulling, chart-topping king of pop.
Producers are looking for an actor aged between 11 and 15 to don 'fro and flares and belt out the early Jackson 5 numbers, including Ben, I Want You Back and I'll Be There. Jackson himself isn't involved with the production, although Sony (owners of MJ's back catalogue) are supporting the production - hoping, it would seem, to replicate Abba and Queen's West End success.
Thriller Live has already been seen in Germany, Holland and Scandinavia (not to mention the three British regional tours). It's a shame the producers have specificied their criteria; I was hoping a call would be made to spindly Jacko doppelganger Teri Hatcher, surely a better choice to moonwalk her way across the West End stage than the inevitable shortlist of X-Factor wannabees. Who would you suggest to take up the mantle of the silver glove?
