Review: MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL, Birmingham Hippodrome - Tour
Photo credit: Matt Crockett
The energy of Moulin Rouge! hits you before the curtain even rises and doesn’t let up for a moment. It’s a relentless, chaotic, and gloriously excessive spectacle that teeters on the edge of overstimulation but never quite tips over.
The lighting, designed by Justin Townsend, is practically a character in its own right: dramatic, pulsating, and exquisitely timed to the music. The set, drenched in red velvet and gold, is suitably lavish and immersive, ensuring there isn’t a dull visual moment.
The first act is an all-out sensory feast, a magnificent onslaught of familiar pop anthems reimagined in thrilling, unexpected ways. It’s pantomime, burlesque, and concert rolled into one, powered by the sheer athleticism and charisma of the cast.
By contrast, the second act leans more traditional, giving the story room to breathe, though it inevitably loses some of the feverish vibrancy of the first half. The ending, in particular, feels abrupt; Christian’s grief over the loss of his great love is swiftly moved past, lacking the theatrical flourish and emotional depth that defines the rest of the production.
Still, what makes Moulin Rouge! irresistible is its chemistry and craft. Verity Thompson (Satine) and Nate Landskroner (Christian) share tantalising chemistry, and their voices, like those of the entire company, are buttery, rich, and utterly captivating. Cameron Blakely’s Harold Zidler anchors the chaos with charisma and humour, while the ensemble radiates unrelenting energy and precision.
The live show not only captures the energy of the film but elevates it. The musical compositions and mashups make Glee look like child’s play. Justin Levine’s orchestrations are genius, clever, explosive, and emotionally resonant.
Director Alex Timbers deserves immense credit for bringing all the elements together, the pathos, the sincerity, and the wild exuberance, into something that feels both spectacular and deeply human. This is what happens when the budget matches the talent. Is it excessive? Absolutely. Is it worth every penny? Absolutely.
One of the production’s greatest feats is its timelessness. In ten years’ time, the song selection could change completely, and it would still absolutely slap. The concept, staging, and energy are so strong that the show is built for reinvention, an endlessly revisitable spectacle.
And for those of us who’ve never stepped foot in the actual Moulin Rouge, this show exceeds any imagination of what that world might be: decadent, sensual, and irresistibly alive.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a thrilling, high-octane spectacle that dazzles the senses and redefines the jukebox musical, even if the ending leaves the heart wanting a touch more.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Alanna Boden