Performing to a crowd of over a thousand? For these two, it’s just another day in the office

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For most tweens, the thought of performing to a crowd of over a thousand people is a nerve wracking affair. But for these two performers, it’s just another day in the office.

Daniel Makunike and Zavier Pillay are members of the young cast in the Melbourne leg of MJ: The Musical. A jukebox production based on the life of performer Michael Jackson, it’s filled with familiar hits like Man in the Mirror, Billie Jean and Smooth Criminal.

Zavier Pillay (left) and Daniel Makunike at Her Majesty’s Theatre.

The duo, who play brothers in the show, ooze with confidence. Sitting in an upstairs function room at Her Majesty’s Theatre, they look comfortable enough to be in their own living room.

Makunike plays the part of Little Michael. The 12-year-old grew up in the regional Victorian town of Ballarat and is making his professional debut as a young version of the King of Pop.

“It’s been really fun to grow up in Ballarat. The community, it almost feels like a family to me. And everyone has been so supportive through this journey of me going through this musical,” Makunike says.

“I always used to watch musicals here. Either here or at the Regent. So I’m really excited to be on the stage that I’ve always watched,” he says.

Zavier Pillay, 11, plays Little Marlon. He was just four years old when he started dancing lessons, and is quick to identify himself as the funny on-stage brother (Makunike is the “nonchalant one,” Pillay says).

His favourite number in this production is the iconic Beat It, a high-energy opening number that takes you inside MJ’s rehearsal studio in preparation for his Dangerous World Tour.

“[The choreographers] were really good. They helped us a lot, learning all the singing and dancing … I’m feeling really excited for the first time [in Melbourne],” Pillay says.

The production recently wrapped up a run in Sydney, and Melbourne performances began on September 9. After Australia, a touring cast will embark on a two-year international tour throughout Asia from late-2026.

“I just want other kids to look at me and be like, ‘He’s doing it, so I can.’ …”

Daniel Makunike, actor

While both boys made their professional debut in Sydney, they say that being on stage in their home state is particularly special.

“It feels a bit different because you have your family coming to support you,” Pillay says. “When I was in Sydney they couldn’t really come much.”

“They’ll probably come to all the shows I’m on [in Melbourne]!” Pillay says. Young cast members are limited in the number of shows they can be in per week, meaning that the roles are shared between multiple performers.

While Makunike is happy to be closer to home, he has a newfound love for the New South Wales capital. “I really did enjoy Sydney, and I’m really excited to be here in Melbourne where I grew up. And I can share my love for performing with the audiences here.”

The jukebox musical has been applauded for casting performers from diverse backgrounds – and the Australian company is no different. The young ensemble is particularly diverse, which Makunike says is something he’s proud to be a part of.

“I just want other kids to look at me and be like, ‘He’s doing it, so I can.’ … We have so much diversity here. I want every kind of person with black ethnicity to look at every one of us and go, ‘Yeah, if they’re doing it, I can as well’,” Makunike said.

And while they’re only kids themselves, both boys are excited to be showing other young people what it’s possible to achieve.

“We want kids to feel confident and do what other people are doing. [Don’t] be nervous, just get out there and show them,” Pillay says. And to anyone intrigued by the show?

“You should come and see what we’re made of, and show your little ones. Show everyone that people are so talented,” Pillay says.

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