Reuben Kaye is trading the cabaret stage for the Moulin Rouge nightclub next year. The comedian and cabaret performer has been cast as Harold Zidler in the new Australian production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, joining Erin Clare as Satine and Nigel Huckle as Christian ahead of the show’s opening at the Sydney Lyric in March 2027.
Producer Global Creatures announced the three leads today, completing a majority of the principal line-up for a company that was filled through an open call process held earlier this year. Over six weeks of in-person auditions, the production received more than 2,300 submissions and auditioned over 500 performers for just 34 roles.
Kaye’s casting is the least conventional of the three. Best known for his sharp-witted comedy and cabaret work, he will step away from that style of performance to sing and act as Zidler, the flamboyant impresario and master of ceremonies who runs the Moulin Rouge.
Clare takes on Satine, the club’s star performer, whose romance sits at the centre of the story. The New South Wales-born and raised performer’s musical theatre credits include Beetlejuice, We Will Rock You and Heathers: The Musical.
Opposite her, Huckle plays Christian, the young bohemian who arrives in Paris and falls for Satine. Born in Sydney and now based in Melbourne, Huckle has previously led productions as Chris in Miss Saigon and Tony in West Side Story, and has also appeared in the international tour of Les Misérables and toured as a concert vocalist with Lea Salonga.
Global Creatures CEO and Moulin Rouge! The Musical producer Carmen Pavlovic reflected on the audition process, the three newly announced leads and what is still to come for the production:
The calibre of artists we saw throughout this audition process was so impressive. We have assembled 34 extraordinary performers who bring not only phenomenal skill, but the individuality, energy and star quality that makes Moulin Rouge! The Musical what it is.
Erin Clare and Nigel Huckle are two outstanding musical theatre talents and together they bring the passion, vulnerability and undeniable chemistry at the centre of this great love story. Reuben Kaye is a singular talent and one of Australia’s most captivating live performers. He will bring charisma, wit and heart to the role of Zidler. While Harold Zidler is one of theatre’s great showmen, he is also the beating heart of the Moulin Rouge, and Reuben has the unique ability to embody both.
We are thrilled to welcome this incredible Australian company and can’t wait for audiences to experience this remarkable cast. And of course, we’re looking forward to revealing our Lady Ms very soon.
The production’s director, Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, spoke about the strength of the full company, from its principals through to its swings:
The calibre of talent in this new Australian company is extraordinary. From our principals through to our ensemble and swings, we have assembled a cast with incredible vocal, acting and dance ability, but also the charisma and fearlessness that Moulin Rouge! The Musical demands. I’m particularly excited for audiences to see these artists make the roles their own – there are some genuinely thrilling and unexpected performers in this company, and I can’t wait to see them bring Moulin Rouge! The Musical back to life in Sydney.
Erin Clare shared what drew her to Satine and the production she is joining:
Satine is one of those roles you dream about. She’s dazzling and powerful, but underneath the diamonds and glamour there’s this incredible vulnerability and a woman fighting for the freedom to choose her own life. To be trusted with her, and with this beautiful love story, is incredibly exciting and I can’t wait to step onto Derek McLane’s gorgeous set with its iconic red windmill and blue elephant!
Nigel Huckle explained why he connects with Christian and what excites him about the role:
Christian is a role that I really resonate with because he’s an optimist like me. He arrives in Paris fully invested in these bohemian ideals of truth, beauty, freedom and love, and then suddenly finds himself living all of them. The music is a massive and exciting challenge, the scale of the production is extraordinary, and getting to tell this epic love story with Erin is such a dream.
Reuben Kaye suggested audiences familiar with his work may be in for a surprise with his version of Zidler:
Zidler is an absolute gift of a role. He’s outrageous, cheeky, hilarious and completely in command of this extraordinary world, but underneath all of that spectacle there’s real heart and humanity. I think people who know my work might think they know what I’m going to do with him – I’m very excited to show them another side to me!
The three leads join a number of previously announced cast members. Ben Hall will play The Duke of Monroth, the wealthy aristocrat whose arrival puts the club’s future in doubt, while Tim Omaji returns to the show as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Tyler Chapman has been cast as Santiago and Thalia Smith as Nini.
The ensemble includes Calista Nelmes (Satine Alternate), Joshua Russell (Principal Cover Christian/The Duke) and David Duketis (Principal Cover The Duke/Santiago/Zidler), alongside John Rex Berry, Sarah Bourke, Bridgette Coach, Emma Feliciano, Louis Fontaine, Anthony Garcia, Alfie Gledhill, Sebastian Johnston, Adam Lyon, Sebaga Neumann, Bella Runnalls, Jordan Tomljenovic, Lucas Van Rhijn and Jennifer Wolfe. The swings are Bayley Edmends, Brittany Ford, Sara Haruta, Lachlan Inwood, Jayden Prelc, Emma Russell, Callum Ryan and Nicole Vella.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical opens at the Sydney Lyric in March 2027. No additional legs of a potential Australian tour have been unveiled as of writing. Ticketing information for the production can be found via the musical’s official website.
