I knew five minutes in I was going to run out of superlatives; and yet here I am, grasping for more. Because Moulin Rouge! The Musical is theatre turned up to eleven – a lavish blizzard of glitter, romance and sheer spectacle.
From its opening moments, Moulin Rouge! establishes itself as a sexy, confident and meticulously crafted production. Based on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film and strongly rooted in Puccini’s La Bohème, it shows a level of polish that never seems to waver; it repeatedly astonishes while retaining a clear emotional throughline.
The story remains timeless: a penniless writer, a courtesan and a love doomed by circumstance. Yet on stage, both its grandeur and intimacy are amplified, rich in theatricality but anchored by genuine feeling. It knows when to dazzle and when to pause, allowing the heart beneath the glitter to surface.
At the centre are Nate Landskroner as Christian and Verity Thompson as Satine. As the two leads, their chemistry is utterly believable and grounded amidst all the extravagance. Their duets are so finely judged and harmonies beautifully blended – and when the spectacle falls away, it’s these moments of emotional clarity that are particularly striking and more than once I had tears in my eyes.
They are supported by an ensemble whose precision and energy maintain the production’s pace from start to finish. Even in the most frenetic numbers, there is a sense of cohesion and discipline that reflects the strong directorial vision. Special mentions to Cameron Blakely (as Harold Zidler), Kurt Kansley (Toulouse-Lautrec) and Rodrigo Negrini (Santiago), whose storytelling anchors the whole production.
Visually it’s stunning. The staging is technically impressive as each set transforms with fluidity and imagination, taking the audience from the decadence of the Moulin Rouge to the streets of Montmartre or an artist’s garret lost in an absinthe haze. The lighting creates moments that feel both cinematic and intimate, while the costumes – all sequins, corsets and cancan skirts – deserve a standing ovation in their own right as they deepen the show’s heady sense of fantasy.
Of course it’s the musical collage that remains one of Moulin Rouge!’s most distinctive elements. It’s a jukebox of pop anthems reimagined with flair and emotion. From Lady Gaga to Elton John, familiar songs are given fresh context, sometimes playful, sometimes piercingly sincere. One minute you’re smiling at a clever twist and resisting the urge to sing along; the next, you’re caught by a simple lyric that lands with surprising weight. The arrangements balance humour and sincerity, switching between exuberant mash-ups and tender ballads, and the pacing is carefully judged, sustaining its momentum without feeling relentless.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical ultimately succeeds as both a visual and emotional experience. It’s a production of considerable polish and ambition, and a reminder of how powerful musical theatre can be. My advice? Book now.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical runs at The Hippodrome through to Saturday November 15. 
