Michael Jackson at the Gates of Heaven and Hell

Seven weeks is not a lot of time to write, cast and rehearse an audacious comedy that not only imagines Michael Jackson's experience of the afterlife but also incorporates a sharp critique of modern TV culture and a dance-based demolition of basic tenets of Christianity.

Somehow the creators of the rather awkwardly-titled Michael Jackson at the Gates of Heaven and Hell have achieved just that.

Frustratingly, it was weak technical support that let the show down during its first week, but late-night audiences took advantage of awkward scene changes to shower the cast with enthusiastic applause.

Five actors play everyone from Jesus and John Lennon to Bubbles and Mariah as we follow the King of Pop's time in purgatory ahead of his day of judgment, which includes a bust-up with the King of the Jews and a guest spot on Princess Diana's talk show, Died Today.

While it might sound like little more than an excuse to offend and outrage, there's actually a pretty clear focus to all of the silliness. Sure, the dancing penis scene is not strictly crucial to the plot, but Michael Edwards's portrayal of the King of Pop is actually rather touching, and when his ambiguously sinister alter-ego (the man in the mirror) is unleashed the show soars to a new level of bizarre brilliance.

A version of this review first appeared in The Herald.