Head to Birmingham Hippodrome for a theatrical experience like no other, as Moulin Rouge! The Musical arrives in an explosion of glitz and dazzling romance. 

Based on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film - the finale of his Red Curtain Trilogy - the musical adaptation has high standards to meet. However, the Hippodrome’s stage is the natural home for a story in which the Can-Can dancers of early 20th Century Paris meet Lady Ga Ga’s Bad Romance. It’s the jukebox musical to rule them all. 

Set in the legendary Parisian nightclub of the title, the production is a feast for the senses as soon as the doors open, revealing that a mechanical ‘red windmill’ and larger than life-size model elephant have spilled off the stage into the auditorium. 

Scantily clad dancers and patrons in tail coats move around in the lights and haze, as everyone waits for the show to begin. It’s clear that the audience is a part of the story, even before the club’s owner and emcee, Harol Zidler (Cameron Blakely) begins the extravagant ‘Welcome to the Moulin Rouge’ sequence…

The story revolves around the diamond of the Moulin Rouge, Satine (Verity Thompson), who descends to the stage appropriately bejeweled. Song-writer and all-out romantic, Christian (Nate Landskroner) has arrived in Paris on a hunt for love, life and revolution - finding friendship in the like-minded Henri Toulouse-Lautrec (Kurt Kansley) and Santiago (Rodrigo Negrini). 

They convince Christian to approach Satine with one of his songs. Meanwhile, Zidler has promised to introduce Satine to the Duke (James Bryers) - a financial pairing which could secure the club’s future. Satine’s love for Christian blossoms, while her partnership with the Duke intensifies.

The ensemble of burlesque-style dancers are exceptionally talented, and the full-stage dance routines, choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, are spectacular from start to finish - one of many highlights is the sizzling ‘Backstage Romance’ with Santiago and dancer Nini (Kahlia Davis). 

The songs are a patchwork of well-known hits - intentionally angular against the sumptuous set (designed by Derek McLane) and stunning costumes (Catherine Zuber). Most of the major solo moments fall on Satine, Christian and Zidler, with all three actors offering top-notch performances. Thompson and Landskroner’s renditions of Firework and Roxanne were both powerful - and their duet, Elephant Love Medley, is nothing short of genius. 

Visually, the whole production is a delight - from spangled stage to absinthe den - illuminated in extravagant theatrical style by lighting designer Justin Townsend. The show walks a tightrope between comedy and tragedy, with moments of melodrama giving way to silly, anachronistic music references.

A central theme, first sung by Kansley as Toulouse-Lautrec, proposes that “The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love, and be loved in return” - and from the reaction of last night’s crowd, the love and passion coming off the stage was definitely reciprocated. 

Five Stars

Moulin Rouge! The Musical was reviewed on Thursday 16 October by Jessica Clixby at Birmingham Hippodrome, where it shows until Saturday 15 November