I had never seen people run to get into a show before the doors closed, but run they did.
As we walked in to take our seats at Birmingham Hippodrome, it felt like we were stepping into the glitz and glamour of 1920s Paris; from that moment forth, we were at the real Moulin Rouge. We entered a velvet and glitter-drenched dreamscape, complete with a huge windmill and a gleaming elephant watching over the audience like old friends from the film. The theatre itself has already become part of the storytelling — and it’s stunning. Saucy-looking men and women are flexing onstage, like moving props, as we wait for the first act to begin.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film. The colours, the chaos, the heartbreak — it all had that intoxicating mix of melodrama and sincerity that made you believe love really could conquer all, even if it might destroy you in the process. It’s just so EXTRA and I love it. Besides, who doesn’t want to believe in the Bohemian values – Truth, Beauty, Freedom and – above all – Love. I went in with high expectations and, perhaps foolishly, the worry that the stage version might not capture that same magic. I need not have worried.
From the moment the first beat of ‘Lady Marmalade’ hits you, Moulin Rouge! throws you into a whirlwind of sound and spectacle. The ensemble is EVERYTHING — they glisten, shimmer, taunt, whirl around the stage effortlessly, and are full of personality. You can feel the sheer stamina it takes to deliver choreography at that speed and volume, yet they make it look easy. Every wink, hip shake, and belt of a high note feels like it’s powered by pure green-fairy magic! It might be the costumes, the music, the performance, but I’m pretty sure any audience member would fancy every single performer in it. (Or maybe that’s just me?) Sensuality just oozes out of every single person on that stage.
By the first few seconds of the opening number, I’ve already declared to my companion that this is definitely going to be the best show we’ve ever seen. And when we get the big reveal of THE star, Verity Thompson (Satine), she absolutely owns the stage. Her magnetic aura shines out, glamorous and commanding, but with a vulnerability that sneaks up on you in the quieter moments. Her voice is a knockout: part Disney princess, part pop diva. Nate Landskroner (Christian) matches her beautifully, all wide-eyed idealism and open-hearted sincerity. His vocal range is – chef’s kiss! And he plays naivety, charm and genuine adoration perfectly. Their chemistry is so natural and heartwarming, you really feel the tragedy and ache in their duets.
Cameron Blakely’s Harold Zidler is a delicious mix of camp and compassion — the kind of larger-than-life showman who knows exactly how to hold both a crowd and a secret. The Duke (James Bryers) gives us all the moustache-twirling menace the story needs; Lautrec (Kurt Kansley) and Santiago (Rodrigo Negrini) ground this eye-popping spectacle with warmth and humour. I cannot emphasise enough how great the cast is, so I’m not going to bang on about it anymore, but seriously, they are all sensational.
Like all jukebox musicals, Moulin Rouge! sometimes chooses fun over narrative flow, but honestly, it’s hard to mind when the fun is this spectacular. The mash-ups are cheeky, some of the references surprising (there’s a joy in hearing familiar pop lyrics reimagined in the bohemian world of Montmartre), and the energy is unstoppable!
It’s pure escapism. A big, glittering, heart-thumping reminder of why we go to the theatre, or to experience any form of art, in the first place: to feel something. Adrenaline was pumping through me throughout!
As the story unfolds, it’s impossible not to be swept up in the sheer madness of it all — the heartache, the humour, the ‘bad romance’. There’s a real theatrical excess here, but it never tips into self-parody. Instead, it feels like the show is in on the joke — knowingly extravagant but with real heart beneath the glitter.
The second act slows down a little, giving us time to breathe, to really feel Satine’s dilemma and the cost of all that sparkle. Under the bright lights and the feathers, this is still a story about love, sacrifice, and survival. Satine is fighting to hold onto her sense of self while everyone around her is trying to claim a piece of it. It’s a theme that feels especially relatable now that stars have been opening up more about the pressure to perform, to shine, even when life is falling apart behind the scenes. Yes, there are some heartbreaking moments, but never fear, they bring it back to the old razzle-dazzle magnificently before you leave.
Visually, the show is breathtaking. Derek McLane’s set design transforms seamlessly from smoky cabaret to candlelit garret to all-out visual fantasia. Justin Townsend’s lighting deserves a standing ovation of its own — the way it shifts from sultry crimson to dreamlike silver gives every moment a cinematic glow. It’s like being inside a living, breathing music video. I’m not a fan of every regular ‘showtune’ cover of a pop or rock classic, but these are all performed with real heart and soul.
Justin Levine is the Music Supervisor of this show. I would say give that man an award, but he’s already won a few! Including a Tony, an Outer Critics Award and a Grammy nomination. That man knows his Gaga from his Police and where to put them.
The Hippodrome itself, always a stunning venue — with its grand chandeliers and red velvet — feels like an extension of the Moulin Rouge’s world. There’s something electric about being in a theatre with that much history, watching a story about artists and dreamers trying to carve out their own kind of immortality. The friendly, helpful, smiling staff are always appreciated, too.
The audience was absolutely here for Moulin Rouge! — whoops, cheers, and applause throughout, especially during those jaw-dropping ensemble numbers. You could feel the collective joy; there was a real buzz in the air from start to finish.
By the time the confetti rains down and the cast take their bows, you don’t just applaud — you gasp as you stop holding your breath. You’ve been somewhere. You’ve felt something. Instantly, everyone jumps to their feet to give the show, performers and crew their well-deserved applause.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical will sweep you off your feet with its jaw-dropping beauty, chaos, energy, all-killer soundtrack, performances, and production. It’s messy and magnificent and utterly alive. Exactly how it should be.
Check out the trailer here: youtube.com/watch?v=fka3Hs0zibk&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birminghamhippodrome.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY
Moulin Rouge! The Musical runs at Birmingham Hippodrome until 15th November 2025. Trust me — if you can get a ticket, go. There are only a handful left for each date, so don’t hesitate! https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/moulin-rouge-the-musical/
Words by Mazzy Snape Director breadbirmingham.co.uk