Make a day out of 'MJ the Musical' in London

Enjoy a thrilling day out with rock and pop waxworks, a fascinating historical cemetery, and a very special dance class that'll have you moonwalking out the door.

Julia Rank1 January, 2025, 00:00

It's a Thriller! MJ the Musical recently announced that it’s extending until 13 September 2025, with Jamaal Fields-Green taking over the role of MJ from Tony Award winner Myles Frost (who originated the role on Broadway and in the West End). A brilliantly slick affair directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, it features all of the King of Pop’s greatest hits, bringing the allure of his music and showmanship to a new generation.

With that in mind, why not plan a day out in London centred around Jackson’s legacy?

Book MJ the Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds has been a major tourist attraction since 1835, originally best known for its “Chamber of Horrors”. These days, the museum is famous for its wax statues of royalty, movie stars and pop and rock idols. Likenesses of Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and Ed Sheeran are currently among its most popular pop stars but the “classic” offerings will never lose their lustre.

Did you know? 13 figures of Michael Jackson have been made for Madame Tussauds – the only person to have been the subject of more likenesses is Queen Elizabeth II.

Book Madame Tussauds tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

MJ Spectacular dance class

Do you wish you could moonwalk? On Friday evenings at DanceWorks London, you can attend a “MJ Spectacular” dance class led by Suleman Mirza, the world’s leading Michael Jackson dance tribute artist. Each class is filled with Jackson’s greatest hits and fabulous moves that, with a bit of practice, can become accessible to all.

Everyone is welcome at this fun and exciting class, regardless of age or ability. Feel free to dress up!

Address: Danceworks, 16 Balderton Street, London W1K 6TN

Price: £

Abney Park Cemetery

Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ video revolutionised the music video genre as a work of art in its own right. Paying homage to horror movies (most notably An American Werewolf in London), it culminates in Jackson dancing with a gang of zombies. For an off-beat and slightly spooky activity, pay a visit to Abney Park Cemetery, one of London’s “Magnificent Seven” Victorian garden cemeteries and the one dedicated to the burials of “dissenters” (Christians who weren’t members of the Church of England).

Abney Park is located in the north London district of Stoke Newington, a delightful neighbourhood filled with independent shops and cafes and a history of non-conformist activity. It’s a lovely place to spend an afternoon.

Address: Stoke Newington High Street, London N16 0LH

Price: Free

Wembley Stadium

Jackson was no stranger to Wembley Stadium (the original venue that was demolished in 2003), having performed at this famous music and sporting arena on his Bad, Dangerous, and HIStory world tours. Jackson performed 15 times at Wembley in total, giving the most performances by any artist in the venue’s history.

Artists performing at the “new” Wembley in 2025 include Dua Lipa, Lana Del Ray, Oasis, and Coldplay. Seating up to 90,000 people, a Wembley concert undoubtedly makes for an epic experience.

Address: Wembley HA9 0WS

Price: £££-£££££

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Jackson was the King of Pop and Tina Turner the Queen of Rock’n’Roll – a brilliant pair indeed. Why not pair a visit to MJ with Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre? The Olivier-winning show is fabulously entertaining as well as being grittier than your average jukebox musical – it doesn’t shy away from the exploring the toughness of Turner’s life.

The score includes all of Turner’s greatest hits, including “A Fool in Love”, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?”, and “Proud Mary”. LondonTheatre.co.uk’s reviewer summarised: “It's everything you expected, executed well and packs in a few surprises. Simply the Best? If you're a Tina fan, it'll definitely be pretty close.”

Book Tina: The Tina Turner Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

MJ the Musical

It’s time to moonwalk into the Prince Edward Theatre. Set during the preparations for Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour, the show charts Jackson’s early life as a child star with his brothers, his phenomenal success as a solo artist, and hints at his complex personal life, though the emphasis is on the music and artistry. The role of MJ will shortly be taken by Jamaal Fields-Green, who has previously performed the role on Broadway and on the US tour.

According to LondonTheatre.co.uk’s 4-star review, “Christopher Wheeldon’s turbo-charged company hardly pause for breath in this epic thriller of a tribute… [What the show] best honours is Jackson the ultimate showman, the artist who (psychologically troubling though it may be) really felt love when giving his all to audiences. The likewise awe-inspiring MJ is unbeatable entertainment”.