Lockdown has ended, and what better place to celebrate than at the Moulin Rouge!
Australia has been shut up for long enough, and the return of musical theatre has become something of a symbolic reopening. The lavish staging, bright lights and costumes alone are a grand gesture of some joy returning to our lives. Add some passionate performances, an infectious soundtrack, the prominent colour of red, and you have the perfect storm – the escapism of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
Alinta Chidzey as Satine in Moulin Rouge! The Musical
After some scattered international performances due to the restraints of COVID-19, the production appeared long enough on Broadway to earn 14 Tony Award nominations, going on to win a triumphant ten. Having now returned to Broadway and opening in London’s West End, Melbourne has now welcomed this much anticipated production at the historic Regent Theatre.
The Australian cast of Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Based on Baz Luhrmann’s successful 2001 Oscar-winning film, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is created on stage with direction from Alex Timbers, choreography by Sonya Tayeh and costumes designed by Catherine Zuber.
As with the movie, the story is set in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris France, during the Belle Epoque, otherwise known as the ‘Golden Age’ of the late Nineteenth Century when art, music, literature, and theatre flourished.
“While the music mashup can seem like a Vegas presentation of Stars on 45, the lyrics befittingly provide a story narrative.”
Following the same thread, with a few twists, Christian, a young composer from America, stumbles across the Moulin Rouge and falls for Satine, the local cabaret star. What follows is a classic love triangle story that includes ‘the Duke’ who holds the Moulin Rouge’s financial future in his hands. Through the characters’ lives, we see themes of truth, beauty, freedom, and love, and considering the production’s transition from Oscar-winning film to the stage, it is done well.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
In the lead as Christian, Des Flanagan brings a starry-eyed innocence combined with a magical voice when combined with co-lead Alinta Chidzey as Satine, creates a harmony both in voice and spirit. Elton’s John’s Your Song has pride of place with the couple who do it justice. Similarly in an outstanding role is Simon Burke AO, now something of a national treasure. The twelve-year-old boy from The Devil’s Playground (1976) has carved a brilliant stage career, as evident with his role as the club founder Harold Zidler. His stand-out moment swings via Sia’s ‘Chandelier’!
Simon Burke AO plays the Moulin Rouge founder Harold Zidler
Other standouts include Tim Omaji as Toulouse-Lautrec and Ryan Gonzalez as Santiago, both as creative Bohemian counterparts to Christian.
“Some may feel the jukebox musical has reached its limits, but it will be interesting to see how this musical stands the test of time.”
But it is the music which ultimately bonds the show. As with the film, the score cleverly weaves together seventy songs from many decades. While at times this mashup can seem like a Vegas presentation of Stars on 45, the lyrics befittingly provide a story narrative. Some pop classics may even seem silly, but they are far from out of place, with a nod-and-a-wink welcome from the audience. In any case, the Moulin Rouge is a cabaret and Patti Labelle’s Lady Marmalade makes the perfect opening and closing number.
Production-wise, there are homages, intended or not to classical theatre, including the vibrato voices of RENT, the lighting of Wicked! camaraderie of Phantom and melancholy moments of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Ryan Gonzalez as Santiago in a scene from Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Moulin Rouge! The Musical has evolved a great deal from its cinematic origins. While some may feel the jukebox musical has reached its limits, it will be interesting to see how this musical stands the test of time. There’s no doubting we’ll see it appear ten, twenty to fifty years from now, and most likely with the addition of songs yet to be written!
For more visit: moulinrougemusical.com
“Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?”
