A tale of two halves, Moulin Rouge the Musical is both a spectacular spectacular and a chaotic conundrum. Based on the 2001 film of the same name, it tells the story of fated lovers Christian and Satine, who despite the hardships which surround them, just want to be free to love one another. This musical adaptation takes elements from the film but also puts an extreme jukebox spin on the whole thing.
‘Sometimes you should just leave things alone’: MOULIN ROUGE! The Musical – West End ★★
If you’ve seen Moulin Rouge! The Musical and loved it, I’d advise you to read no further – this is not going to be pleasant.
‘A big fat solid, crowd-pleasing commercial hit’: MOULIN ROUGE! The Musical – West End ★★★★
Moulin Rouge is ensconced now at the Piccadilly, probably for the foreseeable future, and it’s a true extravaganza, almost completely lacking any restraint
‘Is it spectacular spectacular? Yes, absolutely’: MOULIN ROUGE! The Musical – West End ★★★★★
The musical based on the hit Baz Luhrmann film makes for spectacular viewing in the West End.
‘There’s razzle-dazzle, glitz, glam & hugely sumptuous chorus numbers’: MOULIN ROUGE! The Musical – West End ★★★
There is a lot to love with the production; the energy is next level throughout, the variety of performers is wonderful to see and the classic songs from the movies are excellent.
‘Just allow the sensuousness to wash over you’: Moulin Rouge & Cabaret immerse West End theatregoers
I won’t push the comparisons too hard: though they have a lot in common, CABARET and MOULIN ROUGE are chalk and chese(y), the one all grit, the other all glamour. And they get productions to match.
FROM DOWN UNDER: The Australian premiere of Moulin Rouge!
A spectacular spectacular, Moulin Rouge! the Musical arrives in Melbourne in ravishing form for its Australian premiere season.
As more West End shows have to cancel shows, industry figures respond to ‘inadequate’ Government insurance scheme
Though theatres are now operating at full capacity (if they choose to) — and audiences are wearing masks only if they choose to, as well — there is a great deal of uncertainty, as performances are being routinely suspended at the very last minute if a cast member proves positive or has come into contact with someone who has.
Mark Shenton relishes the glorious architecture of theatres & cinemas & their shared history
Glory palaces of cinema that became theatres — and vice versa — that Mark Shenton longs to visit again.
Mark Shenton’s latest ShenTens podcast throws the spotlight on his top ten favourite movie musicals
Last week I launched a new podcast series ShenTens here, counting down my top ten favourite musicals, and today the second episode is released.
From stage to screen (small & big): The adaptations keep on coming
In the last 30 years or more, roughly half of every new musical that arrives on Broadway or in the West End seems to be based on a film.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Moulin Rouge! on Broadway
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for one of the most highly anticipated musicals of the year, Moulin Rouge! on Broadway.
ON BROADWAY: Moulin Rouge is ‘a feast for the eyes & ears’
A truly spectacular spectacular, Moulin Rouge burns through the budget of a hundred musicals, all in the quest for extravagant entertainment.
‘A place where truly anything goes’: Mark chooses his dozen (or so) best shows in P-town & beyond this summer
Summer theatre highlights in Provincetown, Cape Cod and Boston, including appearances by Audra McDonald, Marilyn Maye, Randy Rainbow, drag bingo and music at Herring Cove beach — plus Moulin Rouge in Boston.
Diary of a Theatre Addict: Mark’s summer in Provincetown
Provincetown, of course, is not an entirely theatre-free zone — there’s plenty live entertainment, from a lot of drag cabarets to male strip shows and piano bars, to enjoy.
Mark recaps last week: Ruthie Ann Miles, Ian McKellen, Moulin Rouge, big openings & best reviews
From news headlines and Twitter gems to must-read columns and the biggest openings in London, New York and Edinburgh, Mark Shenton – currently resident in Provincetown, Massachusetts for the summer – rounds up the most interesting theatre goings-on that made his finely tuned radar. Ian McKellen, Rosemary Harris, Laura Wade, Mark Rylance, Dominic Dromgoole and desperate EdFringe review pleas all feature this week…
Diary of a theatre addict: Time for a critical reboot
I came to a belated realisation: my life was not a dress rehearsal — and it really didn’t matter if I missed a few (dozen) shows. So when it came to booking this year’s P-town trip, which we do every January, we asked about availability for an extended stay.
Have you experienced Opera Undressed? La traviata
I finally managed to secure a ticket for La traviata through Opera Undressed, a scheme run by the English National Opera for productions at the London Coliseum. It’s a great package: the £20 ticket covers a ‘best available’ seat, a pre-show talk, and a free G&T at the aftershow party.