Michael Cox reviews an ‘impressive’ production with ‘hypnotic, dazzling and entertaining’ staging.
Musical adaptations of beloved films are a tough nut to crack: creatives need to cater to the fans but also to those going in blind. In fairness, Moulin Rouge! The Musical does a good job on both sides: it’s a solid adaptation that honours the film without being slavish to it, and it tells its story clearly without being mere fan service—and it more than justifies itself to all.
To those who haven’t seen Baz Luhrmann’s influential original film, the action is set in the infamous Moulin Rouge in 1899 Paris and follows the fortunes of both those who work there and those in attendance. Harold Zidler is the master of ceremonies and has created a venue of glitz and pleasure—but debts are running up. To pay bills, he needs the headliner, Satine, to woo the corrupt and leering Duke. Unfortunately, she confuses him for a penniless poet fresh off the boat—Christian.
As with the film, the joy isn’t really with the plot—it’s with the spectacle and within the music. Luhrmann weaved an impressive playlist of modern pop songs to brilliant (and influential) effect. The plentiful musical moments are still here, though many of the songs used were composed well after the film’s 2001 release.
The film also had the benefit of its cast. Nicole Kidman, Euan McGregor, Jim Broadbent and John Leguizamo were highly likable and empathetic as the leads, and even if they didn’t have the best singing voices, they lit the screen with boundless energy and radiant charm.
So, it seems rather unfair to compare the cast to their cinematic doubles, even if many fans of the film will no doubt do so.
Cameron Blakey’s Zidler is an absolute delight—always on cracking form with constant vigour. He’s able to balance the pizzazz with the pathos effectively. Also of impressive note is James Bryers’ villainous Duke—who has a bit more to do here than Richard Roxburgh did in the film. Bryers is easy to hate, and yet he never teeters into mere farce.
As for the leads, Verity Thompson is fine as Satine—she plays and sings the role well but just doesn’t have the glimmering command required. Nate Landskroner is stronger as Christian. He’s charming and is a convincing hero, but he sometimes gets lost in the larger moments. Together they are likeable, but they aren’t compelling.
What is compelling is also the production’s saving grace—impressively large moments of dance, music and design spectacle. Some touring productions of West End/Broadway musicals feel like they’ve been reined in by the moneymen—not so here. It is easy to be astonished by the whole behemoth, and it is all very hypnotic, dazzling and entertaining. Just a shame about the quieter character moments that feel a little on the shallow side.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical performs at the Edinburgh Playhouse until June 14, 2025, before continuing its tour. For further details, go to the production’s website.
Photos by Johan Persson.
RSS