At least, that’s how the song goes. The glitzy and bold production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical returned to Melbourne in August after its long run in Sydney.
The sold-out premiere season actually kicked off almost two years ago in Melbourne. in November 2021, wowing audiences with its high-energy choreography and a collection of newer songs that added to an already crowd-pleasing soundtrack.
The musical arrived 20 years after the release of Australian film director Baz Luhrmann’s fast-paced movie, which starred Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman telling the story of a deadly love affair set in the Bohemian underworld of 1899 Paris.
As a seasoned theatre-goer, I was excited by the prospect of a brand new show, particularly as it was based on a movie I’ve enjoyed watching many times. Lurhmann’s Red Curtain Trilogy: hello comfort movies!
After a bulk-buy ticket mishap, a new date to see the show was picked and we were on our way. Now, I have a tendency to cry during the first few songs of any musical production – something to do with overwhelming positive emotion at how incredible it is to see talented actors, dancers and singers on stage – and this production was no different.
From sword swallowing to can-can and confetti cannons, the show began with a high level of energy that did not drop from start to finish.
With a passionate rendition of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance, and a suave redo of Outcast’s So Fresh, So Clean, the soundtrack surprised us in the best way with clever additions from the past two decades of top hits.
Speaking to cast member Jacob Steen offered insight into how an amazing production such as this comes together.
Steen joined the cast in the return Melbourne season, as a member of the ensemble and understudy for the principal role of Santiago.
With a quick turnaround, Steen found himself in Adelaide’s season of Mary Poppins, one week, then on a plane to Brisbane the next week, to audition for Moulin Rouge!
Joining a show that's been running for so long, Steen says he found he put a lot of pressure on himself to learn quickly.
“Because they're so late in their season, it feels like you need to be quick at learning things, especially when [the rest of the cast] know everything,” he says.
The unconventional nature of the show can be seen in its use of modern music, staging and Tony Award-winning choreography.
The choreography strays from the classical dance style of older productions, making use of lifts and levels and matching the often fast-paced and energetic music.
“It’s not like any other musicals in terms of style of choreography. Not anything that’s touched Australia except maybe & Juliet,” Steen says.
& Juliet’s similarities to Moulin Rouge! lie in the modern-style retelling of an old story, exploring themes of love and friendship, to modern pop hits with Shakespearian inspired costumes combined with high-top sneakers.
The production style for Moulin Rouge! is very intentional, to guide the audience through their immersive experience.
“The theatre-making techniques are so similar to Baz Luhrmann’s movies. With the lighting design, the focus of the audience is so specific,” Steen says.
“With the lighting and the music, it really guides the audience's focus from each spot to each spot, which is really amazing.”
Steen says he feels lucky in many ways to be part of such a show, but in particular how the show is able to positively engage with current issues and how it represents the authentic diversity of the theatre community.
“The production company Global Creatures are super amongst and informed about Australia's past,” Steen says, explaining how the company got the cast involved in campaigning for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, having the cast attend the rallies and marches.
“Usually production companies don’t like to make a statement,” he says.
The Moulin Rouge! merchandise includes First Nations interpretations of truth, beauty, freedom and love – the four main themes of the production and ideals of the Bohemian revolution that swept the underworld of 1899 Paris.
The casting for Australia’s production of Moulin Rouge! has so effortlessly created a representation of the theatre community that isn’t always seen in mainstream productions.
The diversity, given the historical context of the show at the turn of the 20th century, is able to pave the way for gender-fluid and non-binary representations in large theatre productions as well as championing queer and BIPOC cast members.
“What's so interesting about what we do on stage is that, not only do we encourage the people who want to be creative to be more creative, but also encourage people to go out and do what they want to do,” Steen says.
“It’s about putting yourself out there and trying; I think that's what the greatest impact [of the show] is.”
Meanwhile, Melbourne Fashion Week has provided a further look into Melbourne’s theatre landscape with its October opening night show, Fashion X Theatre, which saw a diverse fashion performance at the iconic Regent Theatre on Collins Street.
Among the semi-permanent staging for the Moulin Rouge! production, attendees were wowed by the combination of fashion catwalk modelling alongside dance, poetry and harp music.
There were also performances by singers who wore garments by the designer of each section, while models walked around them. Some of the models and singers were current cast members in Moulin Rouge!
It was a moving experience, and unlike any other fashion show I’ve been to at either Melbourne Fashion Week or the Melbourne Fashion Festival.
With the cost-of-living crisis rife, my fingers are crossed each week hoping to win the ticket lottery for a chance to see this amazing show again before it closes.
If you believe in truth, beauty, freedom and love, you should see it too!
The return season of Moulin Rouge! Melbourne runs until February 2024. Tickets can be purchased here.