HAVE you heard the one about the five Michael Jacksons?

In fact all of them appear in Thriller Live, a celebration of “the undisputed king of pop” that accommodates not only that form of the Jackson five, but also a sixth Michael, the child singer who charmed the world in his Motown milk teeth.

Thriller Live is soon to chalk up its 1,000th show in London, while the touring production opens a week-long run of the two-hour show at the Grand Opera House, York, on Monday, featuring the music of the late Michael from his Jackson 5 beginnings to his History album.

“It’s coming up to five years ago that we first started it,” says director Gary Lloyd.

“Adrian Grant, the creator of the show, was a close friend of Michael’s and the Jackson family, and the show began as a birthday celebration for Michael at the Dominion Theatre in London with a view to taking it to a more professional level, and that’s when Fly Music saw its potential and put it out on the road.”

The show was not riding on the crest of a Jackson wave.

“To be honest, in the beginning, he wasn’t at the peak of his popularity, was he, so the success of the show both in the UK and in Europe was very much based on the quality of the production and people saying, ‘Oh yeah, I love those songs’.

“It’s very easy to think those songs were always on the radio, but by then they weren’t, and it wasn’t until he announced his 02 Arena shows in London that interest in him really picked up again,” says Gary.

Jackson’s death in June 2009 gave all things Michael a shot in the arm, and Thriller Live is not only into its third year at the Lyric Theatre in London, but also the international production has played in South Africa, Poland, Russia, China, Greece and Singapore, and Dubai is next.

Then there is the British touring version too.

“We’re constantly changing and tweaking the show,” says Gary. “It’s a very hard show to cast because it’s very challenging to sing for both male and female singers and the dancing has to be top notch.

“That’s why we’re constantly auditioning. Michael was all about perfection and to be able to recreate that is very demanding, with different singers representing the differing elements of his music.”

And what was the essence of Michael Jackson, Gary?

“I think he was pure entertainment,” he says. “He was never happier than when he was on stage entertaining people, and he was a pioneer – his vocal style, his choreography, his pop videos – and he paved the way for so many musicians. The sad thing was that he had to die before that was fully appreciated.”

Thriller Live, Grand Opera House, York, May 30 to June 4; Monday to Thursday, 7.30pm; Friday, 5pm and 8.30pm, Saturday, 4pm and 8pm. Tickets: £15.50 to £30.50 on 0844 871 3024 or online at grandoperahouseyork.org.uk