By: Suzanne Cleave
Be transported to the glamorous world of Montmartre, as Moulin Rouge! The Musical brings a touch of Parisian opulence to the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Charismatic and flamboyant club proprietor Harold Zidler (played brilliantly by Cameron Blakely) tells us in the opening scene that the Moulin Rouge is more than a nightclub – it’s a state of mind where all your dreams come true.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth for him and the dancers: the club is facing financial ruin.
Zidler sees a possible way out through the riches of The Duke (James Bryers), who he hopes will fall for Satine, the club’s star performer, and save the Moulin Rouge with his fortune. However, she catches the eye of Christian, a young bohemian writer. Their romance provides the emotional heart of the production, with comedy, drama, jealousy and tragedy all woven together.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is an extravagant, energetic and visually spectacular production that delivers everything you would expect from a West End musical.
The storyline may be familiar to many, thanks to Baz Luhrmann’s film, and this production turns it up a notch.
Filled with familiar songs from Lady Gaga to Lorde, David Bowie to Shirley Bassey, the show cleverly combines a huge range of songs, creating brilliant mash-ups and a soundtrack that sets this production alight. The audience is treated to one recognisable song after another, and the musical numbers are performed with enormous energy.
Visually, the production is stunning. The stage design, lighting and costumes create a decadent atmosphere, while the choreography is fast-paced, energetic and consistently impressive.
Verity Thompson dazzles as Satine – combining the glamour of leading lady and the fragility of someone who knows they are running out of time. Nate Landskroner’s Christian is a likeable leading man, who has the audience rooting for him.
Kurt Kansley and Rodrigo Negrini are a great double act as Toulouse-Lautrec and Santiago, and the ensemble is perfectly polished.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a spectacular night of entertainment, filled to the brim with colour, energy and plenty of glamour.