THE BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome has a reputation to rival anything the West End has to offer when it comes to staging the spectacular.
Last night at his pre-curtain speech, Jon Gilchrist CEO clicked his fingers and with a theatrical bang the press night reception in the Patrick Centre was showered in a massive cascade of glittering gold confetti as he announced the Moulin Rouge! world tour was about to kick off on the main stage.
The auditorium was bathed in dramatic red lights with a huge, illuminated ‘Moulin Rouge’ sign hung from wall to wall on the stage, behind which chorus girl strutted in basques and suspenders.
The iconic windmill synonymous with the Paris cabaret club is turning in the boxes stage right, matched by a bejewelled elephant head and trunk stage left.
Two sword swallowers perform; the atmosphere is one of total decadence and nervous excitement – and the show hasn’t even started yet.
Picture by Johan Persson. s
In top hat, redcoat and tails ‘Master of the Club’ and compere Harold Zidler starts the belting ‘Welcome to the Moulin Rouge’ opening number and we’re off down a kaleidoscope of stunning theatrical imagination and music to pump the blood through your veins.
The book for Moulin Rouge! The Musical was written by John Logan and is based on the 2001 film by Baz Luhrmann starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.
It’s set in Paris at the turn of the century during the romantic and arty Belle Époque period.
The story follows Christian, a young composer who falls in love with Satine, a courtesan and star of the Moulin Rouge cabaret. Satine returns his love but is in a relationship with The Duke – a rich aristocratic patron who holds the fate of the debt-ridden nightclub in his hands.
There is more than a nod to ‘La Dame aux Camelias’ about the events as it moves tantalisingly and deliciously between lust, love and tragedy.
Cameron Blakely gives an all-embracing performance as Zidler, revelling in excess, yet not without tenderness and breaking the fourth wall at times as he sucks us into his thinking.
Verity Thompson radiates in the role of the stunningly beautiful Satine, she is both convincing and captivating, with a voice to melt your heart – Nate Landskroner is the real deal as the starry-eyed would-be composer Christian, brash, arrogant and naïve; the talented Rodrigo Negrini adds a touch of comedy to Santiago, Christian’s bohemian pal and James Bryers makes an excellent job of the spurned Duke who thinks he can buy love.
Picture by Johan Persson. s
Special shout out to Kurt Kansley for capturing the aging rebelliousness of Toulouse-Lautrec in a performance that was sharp witted and memorable.
The settings from scenic designer Derek McLanea are simply stunning and the chorography from resident choreographer Travis Khan was raunchy, dazzling and brilliant.
Resident director Ian Waller gives us a feast for the eyes and ears, there is a sublime band headed by musical director Ben Ferguson and simply awesome lighting from designer Justin Townsend.
As musicals go, they don’t come and bigger or more lavish than Moulin Rouge!
The music is a total mash up of memorable lines from numbers that will haunt you long after you’ve left the auditorium.
It’s a big night out and not surprisingly, selling out fast – you know what to do – hit the ‘phone and grab that ticket if you can!
Moulin Rouge runs at the Birmingham Hippodrome runs until November 15. Click here for times, tickets and more information.
