Australia is fortunate enough to be home to many major musical producers, who ensure that each state’s theatrical venues offer a plentiful cornucopia of musicals typically found on Broadway and in London’s West End. Global Creatures sets itself from the crowd as not only a producer but also a creator of Australian musicals which can stand up amongst the competition, in recent years based on iconic Australian films. I still smile reminiscing about the catchy songs and clever writing of Muriel’s Wedding the Musical from 2019, and in particular, the triple-threats displayed in their adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 1992 feature film Strictly Ballroom, which to date remains one of my all-time favourite musicals. Reuniting with Luhrmann to continue working on the ‘Red Curtain Trilogy’, Global Creatures debuted Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway pre-pandemic, and finally in 2023, theatrical aficionados in Brisbane can now indulge in this immersive spectacle filled with romance, passion, and breath-taking musical performances, and in my eyes, it not only rivals but dramatically surpasses the high bar set by the unforgettable Strictly Ballroom the Musical.
You know that feeling of butterflies you may get as you’re sitting in a theatre, as the first notes begin to harmonise across the theatre, the curtain begins to rise and the narrative begins to unfold your eyes? You don’t get that in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, as you experience that sensation the moment you enter the theatre. From a decadent and indulgent set befitting the Moulin Rouge to the decorative set pieces in the wings (in this case, a 220kg, 5.1m tall blue elephant to stage left and a recreation of the Moulin Rouge’s iconic red windmill to stage right), I found myself glad that I arrived in the theatre about 20 minutes early to be fully able to take in the atmosphere. Enhancing this immersion, the cast steps onto the stage 10-15 minutes before the show, creating an engaging pre-performance spectacle as they interact on stage as if they are getting the show set up for the afternoon/evening, a small touch that sticks well with the creator’s forte of going above and beyond what is expected around pre-show experiences.
Setting high expectations from the start, Moulin Rouge! The Musical continues meeting that high bar as the night continues, starting off with a high-paced medley and going from there. While some label the show a ‘disco musical’, I found it to transcend this label and would argue it is more of a ‘remix musical’, with few songs brought across verbatim. Instead, in what must have been a coup for both the creatives and their music licensing team, it features a cabaret charm where many songs are instead compilations of multiple songs, harmonised and unified perfectly. The opening number for example, titled ‘Welcome to the Moulin Rouge’, is an almost overwhelming and so satisfying union of new and classic hits including Lady Marmalade, Minnie the Moocher, Offenbach (Frequently known as the Can Can Song), So Fresh, So Clean and many more. Some songs have more of a presence than others, and some just serve as seamless transitions, but they are effectively used to deliver an audiovisual experience that also effectively sets or continues the narrative. While just one example, this was a consistent approach to songs throughout the night, and I would recommend not reading anything more than the subtly named tracklist before seeing the production for the first time – the hype of seeing songs surprisingly integrated into the show is real. Just be sure to do yourself a favour and don’t arrive late for Act 2!
Complementing the music, all amply performed by the lead and ensemble cast is the incredible choreography. One of the reasons that Strictly Ballroom the Musical was a major highlight for me was the choreography, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical reaches these standards once again. The larger-scale numbers showcased physically demanding moves, all executed with ease by the talented cast. The smaller-scale numbers also featured plenty of intricate movements which were also a delight to watch. Such was the grandeur of the large-scale numbers, it sometimes provided to be a challenge to take in every detail. Not a bad problem to have, and certainly a lot to admire for those seeing the performance multiple times, but it certainly is a feast for the eyes.
Frankly, Moulin Rouge! The Musical has some of the best lighting of a production I have seen in quite some time. While your mind is initially captivated by the individual grand set pieces, such as the Moulin Rouge stage and the elephant room which serves as a location for intimate moments between characters – what was really impressive is how lighting enriched the scenes where the sets needed to be clear for dancing. From enhancing minimalistic set pieces with scale to the clever use of forced perspective, Justin Townsend (Lighting Designer) and his team deserve high praise for using lighting as not just a way to illuminate the cast, but set the mood and the grand scale of late-1800s France.
Two things that stood out when the first cast members came out on stage were both the size and diversity of the full cast. The size is not all that surprising given the nature of this heavily dance-oriented production, but it was nice to see a representation of different body types, genders and nationalities. To highlight first and foremost, the ensemble cast was perfect throughout the entire performance. Looking closer at the lead cast, again there were some great choices of actors. Alinta Chidzey and Des Flanagan are both the ideal triple-threats for Satine and Christian respectively. Simon Burke AO was absolute gold as the outgoing and bold Harold Zidler, delivering panache and flair by the bucketloads but also able to go truly down-to-earth when the story necessitated it. Bringing savvy and unique bohemian charms, Jarrod Draper, portraying Toulouse-Lautrec, and Ryan Gonzalez, playing Santiago, brought a unique bohemian charm to their flawless performances. Draper added a captivating charm to every scene they were in, while Gonzalez’s enthusiasm and unforgettable delivery of ‘Backstage Romance’ truly stood out… which I have not been able to get out of my mind since opening night. While I believe the role of The Duke of Monroth could have had more singing roles in the production, as an actor and singer, James Bryers also nailed the role. While I was unable to see Patrice Tipoki perform in her role as the alternate Satine on the night, she is a remarkable actor so expect quality from whoever fills the role when you see the show.
As we near closer to the end of this review, we shine a light on the narrative. For a ‘disco musical’ or a ‘remix musical’ as I described earlier, the story does a commendable job of bringing Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce’s original 2001 film to life on stage. It preserves the same fundamental plot of forbidden lovers struggling to nurture their affection in a world steeped in vaudeville, debauchery, and a powerful figure desiring the lead performer. However, amid the incessant waves of creativity on stage, the narrative can sometimes be overshadowed by dazzling production elements. Furthermore, the narrative flow is occasionally disjointed, leading to a somewhat haphazard balance between scenes. Despite this, it still provides an enjoyable and straightforward tale. Newcomers to Moulin Rouge! will typically find the narrative easy to follow, and series veterans will appreciate the familiar yet refreshing tale.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical offers a feast of theatrical delights that should delight anyone after a memorable night out at the theatre – whether flying solo or with a group of friends. Its strengths as a production are multifaceted, from the sensational remixes of popular and classic songs, the talented cast that brings their interpretation of late-1800s France to life, and the technical stagecraft that makes it an experience the moment you step into the theatre. Moulin Rouge! The Musical stands as a worthy adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s iconic work, offering a classic concept with modern pizazz that keeps it standing among other productions today.
The world has been pretty gray and sometimes grim as of late… and this musical has left me buzzing since Saturday night!
Ticketing Information for Moulin Rouge! The Musical
As of this review going live, Moulin Rouge! The Musical will be playing in Brisbane at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre until late-July 2023, where it will then be returning to Melbourne’s Regent Theatre in August for a return season. No additional legs of the Australian tour have been announced.
Tickets do appear to be selling quite fast for the Brisbane season, with some of the best seats said to be in the Wednesday 1.00pm or Tuesday – Thursday 7.00pm performances in June-July. While I would typically recommend booking tickets in the front-middle stalls for most shows were possible, I would argue the rear stalls and front balcony seating would offer sweeping views of the stage which may be even more optimal to some.
Booking information for both seasons can be found on the Moulin Rouge! The Musical Australia official website.
Acknowledgments
Review tickets were provided to Moulin Rouge! The Musical’s opening night, thanks to the team at Global Creatures and the show’s publicity team.
Fun Facts for Reading to the End of this Review
- There are over 3,500 light bulbs used throughout the set, including 12 unique chandeliers and 2km of festoon lighting which were all hand painted red
- All of the set was made in Australia except the blue elephant, weighing 220kg and standing at 5.1m tall, which was made in New York.
- The windmill was crafted in Ballarat, Victoria, and took 20 people and over 2 months to create.
- The big “Moulin Rouge!” sign is a genuine neon sign in one large piece, weighing 370kgs. When moved into the Regent Theatre it took 15 people to unbox it.
- There are over 200 various-sized speakers throughout the set, including within the lamps located on the exclusive Can Can tables
