It’s an absolute extravaganza of a show, writes Dianne Bourne
Dianne has written for the Manchester Evening News for almost 20 years across a variety of subjects. Formerly Diary Editor covering showbiz and events in Manchester, Dianne is now Lifestyle Editor, covering travel reviews, food and drink news and reviews and attending many of the biggest gigs across Manchester. Dianne loves a farm shop, and writing about all the great places for families to take children across the North West and beyond.
Moulin Rouge is dazzling audiences at Manchester’s Palace Theatre(Image: Johan Persson)
A life-sized elephant is peering down from the Royal Boxes at the Palace Theatre, as corset-clad can can dancers strut on a spectacular red heart stage, one performing a death-defying act amid oos and ahhs from the audience.
We’ve already had an eyeful of theatrical entertainment – and this is before the show has even started. But then this is the Moulin Rouge of course, a world of eye-popping excess, glitz and grandeur and never less than a spectacular spectacular.
This absolute extravaganza of a show has arrived in Manchester for the first time, on an epic six week run on its first world tour. And on opening night here in Manchester it has proved it really is one not to be missed for theatre fans.
I’ve never quite seen the Palace Theatre like it – the way the Moulin Rouge, that most famous of Parisian dance clubs, has taken over the grand theatrical space, is really something to behold.
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On stage, we are dazzled by the stunning vocal performances of a tight ensemble cast, bringing to life this musical version of the much-loved Baz Luhrmann movie.
Harold Zidler is the “ringmaster” of it all(Image: Johan Persson)
Cameron Blakely as Harold Zidler, the ringleader of the cabaret, kicks it all off with the Welcome to the Moulin Rouge, an all-singing, all-can-can-dancing opener packed with hits twisted into new shapes for this jukebox musical quite like no other.
For this Manchester run, we have Verity Thompson embodying the Mouline Rouge’s star dancer Satine, the courtesan who captivates starry-eyed poet Christian, played by Nate Landskroner.
Satine’s arrival ensures we know her place as the Dazzling Diamond of this show – perched on a swing in the air, her corset encrusted with sparkles as she swings back and to.
The costumes are just another part of the show that makes it a real feast for the eyes, and Satine dazzles in every moment she walks on stage.
Satine arrives (played by Verity Thompson)(Image: Johan Persson)
As the audience soon learn, though, the star is masking illness, but soldiers on to try and save the Moulin Rouge from financial ruin, with Harold’s request that she bewithches the rich (but dastardly) Duke de Monroth (played by James Bryers).
As fans of the film will know, there’s a mix up in the backstage meeting with the “Duke” when instead Satine layers her charms on penniless poet Christian – and the story of the star-crossed lovers commences.
The storyline is not quite the same as the movie, with added embellishments here and there, while the songs in the musical are also ramped up somewhat from the movie, with a whole load of newies from the past 20 years since the film wedged in to the soundtrack of love.
Some of it missed the mark for me, but you cannot complain about the sheer gusto that everyone in the cast gives every last word of this show.
And there are some simply dazzling set pieces – no one could feel they’ve been short changed at the finale in Act 1 as Satine and Christian leap onto a mini Eiffel Tower with sequin encrusted umbrellas in a scene that has old school Hollywood glamour written all over it.
A stunning set piece in the show in Paris, the city of love(Image: Johan Persson)
Other personal highlights included the Backstage Romance section, which saw Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance whipped deliciously into a saucy tango between Santiago (Rodrigo Negrini) and Nini (Kahlia Davis) who had some sizzling chemistry in the roles.
I was a bit surprised that Negrini was not utilised more fully for the famous El Tango de Roxanne scene, but superfans of the movie instead need to lean in to the fact that this is a new interpretation of the story.
And as a musical it really does throw everything bar the kitchen sink at you over a thrilling two and a half hour spectacle.
We are taken to the heart of the Moulin Rouge(Image: Johan Persson)
Just as I’d advise to arrive early to enjoy all the sights and sounds of the Moulin Rouge before the show starts, I’d also say don’t be dashing off when you think the show is all over at the end.
The cast come back for an encore described as “More More More” and it’s certainly that as they bring out some of the big hits in the show for an all-singing and dancing finale with the crowd on their feet.
Moulin Rouge is at Manchester’s Palace Theatre until October 4.