The Immortal Is Part Tribute, Part Biography

It's hard to put Cirque du Soliel's Michael Jackson-inspired spectacle into words, but isn't that why dance exists?

Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour, which went into planning 14 months after his death, is part tribute, part biography and part history-writing.

After introducing five ragamuffin MJ fans in classic MJ attire, as well as a hero in a sparkly jumpsuit who has an arc throughout the 140 minute concert, the real show of dozens of dancers, musicians and gymnasts begins with "Childhood."

It was a surprising opener, given Jackson's legacy of pulsating dance anthems. Written after his 1993 persecution, the song was interpreted by modern dancers in front Neverland gates and had a cartoonish young Michael (circa Jackson 5) watching an adult Michael from a floating air balloon. It worked in flushing away any prejudices the audience might have against the complicated icon.

Cirque du Soliel continued to honour the King of Pop's work with choreography, sets and costumes that could have come from his imagination. The literal performance of "Dancing Machine" was particularly memorable. It had dancers hooked up to large steam punk machines and webs, moving in mechanical ways.

At the other end of the spectrum, "Human Nature" was presented more abstractly, with dancers in LED-light suits that twinkled like stars in the rafters, until they changed colours, motions and forms to the instruments,  much like a computer music player's visualizer.

Songs like "Human Nature," "Ben" and "Black or White" reminded the audience that Jackson was not just a dance-floor favourite, but an artist with an emotional message. Though it was contradicted by his lavish life, love of humankind is at the heart of his work, and Cirque du Soliel made sure to remind the audience of it again and again.