Producers of West End production Thriller Live have announced they are to launch an ‘academy’ to train up young male performers to appear in the show.

The MJ Academy will open on November 9 and will offer classes in singing and dancing every Friday from 5pm to 8pm for three months. Classes will be free, but boys aged nine to 14 will have to audition to be accepted, and no expenses will be paid.

Thriller Live’s musical director, John Maher, will have creative responsibility for the school. Following 12 weeks training, a full audition will take place to appear in the West End production, which is a tribute show featuring the music of Michael Jackson.