Firstly, I need to explain a bit about the background to this event! I had first connected with the events organiser, Elena Ionniades, when she was trying to organise an event for the 25th of June. She very gracefully had allowed me to have a slot within the show to speak about the book I am attempting to write and the fans. This was probably around October 2009 and she and I corresponded regularly in regards to how the show was progressing and I also helped her with bits and bobs in regards to the organisation. Unfortunately, inspite of all of Elena's hard work and dedication, the show wasn't to be...poor tickets sales meant it couldnt go ahead. Although she didnt show or communicate it to me. She must have been absolutely gutted!!
After such a disappointment, most people would have just curled up into a ball and retreated into a dark corner. Not our Elena!! She picked herself up and set about organising and event for Michael's birthday - and what an event!
For those who arent in the know 'Thriller Live' is the most amazing stage show portraying all Michael's music. The cast are young and energetic and the music well what can I say!! The idea of the show came from Adrian Grant who got to know Michael in the eighties, it came about from Adrian's involvement in the fan clubs and giving something back to the fans. Michael saw the concept show and his brothers saw the finished article when they came across to the UK last year!!
Elena had given me the responsibility of organising the cake!! Which was wonderful...the only problem - the stress of getting a 12" cake down to London safely via public transport! I was never so relieved as I was when I rested the cake on the table at the Lyric Theatre!!
Thankfully the journey down was relatively uneventful, Michael had obviously had a word with someone in regards to the weather, since all last week we had had wet dull, dingy weather. Sunday started off overcast but as I made my way down to London, the sun burst forth!! I would never say that London is a beautiful Capital but with brilliant blue skies and the leaves beginning to turn, it had a certain magic about it!!
The Lyric is a relatively small Victorian Theatre and as such you can feel the 'presence' of all those other 'theatre goers' in years gone by!! It oozes excitement and expectation!! I arrived early but the Manager was lovely and allowed me to go into the VIP room and start setting up! I was so nervous, since although I had spent nearly a year communicating with Elena - this would be the first time we would meet! I neednt have worried since she was lovely and we got on like a house on fire!! The fans started arriving about 6.30pmish. In the end there were about 20 of us ranging in age from teenagers to 60yr olds!! Only with Michael could you have had such a broad spectrum of fans of such ages and backgrounds. The wonderful thing was the most of us knew each other from other meet ups! These functions are rapidly becoming more like family gatherings by the minute!! Elena had thought of everything - a card for everyone to sign (which is going to be taken up to Holly Terrace), Party bags...Oh and Adrian!!
Adrian Grant...Well what can I say other than - no wonder he was one of Michael's friends! He is lovely, so quiet and unassuming - he took the time to talk to all of us, sign autographs, pose for photos and then say a wonderful speech! I have only personally met one other of Michael's friends (Mark Lester) and he was hard pressed to even give me 5 mins of his time!! What does that tell you!! Not only that but Adrian came back at the end and bought some of the cast members to meet us!! Between Adrian and the Manager of the Lyric Theatre we were all made to feel very special. I had managed to bag front row seats and in the Lyric front row means you are almost on the stage!! It was wonderful being able to see everything up close...especially the male dancers!!! Lol!! The show is a must, it has you booging in your seats from the very start!! With fans dancing in the street during the interval and afterwards, it was a very, very magical evening but it would be wouldn't it ?
To cap it all off as we were making our way home ...we came across a couple of buskers playing MJ tunes in the depths of the London Underground. It felt as if Michael was following us home!!
So now what....The summer is nearly over here along with the everything it has bought us ...the demo's....The Anniversary....His Birthday. The Autumn and Winter is casting it shadow already upon us here in the UK. October will bring us yet another court date! Then what? The long wait until the Prelim in January!! This now will definitely be a test of time for many of our friendships - especially the long distance ones!!
I desperately hoping (and saving) to be able to afford to go out to LA next year, since I so need to connect with my US buddies, however fear if I do not then I might loose them forever, to others who are nearer and easier to communicate with! I personally also have many challenges in my life to battle, but fear that I may loose sight of Michael and contact with my friends whilst I do so!!
These past 14 months have been so awe-inspiring!! I pray to Michael that we will all still be together and united this time next year!
JUSTICE4MJ 4EVER!!
THANK YOU ELENA FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND MAKING MICHAEL'S BIRTHDAY A REALLY SPECIAL DAY FOR SO MANY <3 <3 <3
Just a small postcript...One of my friends noticed and has tagged two small 'orbs' in the photos of the event. Michael was with us!!
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