The Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical is finally on the way to the UK and will hit London’s West End in 2021!
The jukebox musical that was inspired and based on the 2001 film, which featured Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, has been in development for 10 years and incorporates a significant number of the tunes from the big screen so fans of the movie, and music lovers in general, will be in for a treat!
Having made its introduction in Boston in 2018 before moving to New York’s theatre district, Moulin Rouge! The Musical will open at the Piccadilly Theatre in March 2021.
Coordinated and directed by two-time Tony Award nominee Alex Timbers and with a book by three-time Oscar candidate John Logan, the show vows to wow audiences with a “universe of quality and sentiment, of eye-popping abundance, of glamour, magnificence and brilliance“.
The musical is inspired by Baz Luhrmann‘s Oscar-winning film, which was set in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris during the Belle Epoque period at the turn of the twentieth century.
The film recounted the narrative of hopeful author Christian (McGregor) and dancer Satine (Kidman) as they fall in love despite the seemingly insurmountable opposition and in spite of the weight from Moulin Rouge manager Harold Zidler (Jim Broadbent) to engage the affluent Duke of Monroth (Richard Roxburgh) whose cash can keep the business running.
Moulin Rouge! was deservedly nominated for eight Oscars, including best picture and best actress for Nicole Kidman, and won two, for costume design and art direction.
The hit musical, similar to the film, celebrates well-known music of the previous 50 years and it flaunts a “sumptuous, vivid set”.
Tunes in the show incorporate Your Song, Elephant Love Medley, Come What May and El Tango De Roxanne, all of which were used well in the film.
Carmen Pavlovic, the producer of production company Global Creatures said: “After 10 years in development and following the fantastic response to Moulin Rouge! The Musical in New York, we are thrilled to be sharing this musical with audiences in the UK. We can’t wait to bring the show to London!”
In a review for New York Theatre Guide, Mark Shenton gave the musical five stars, saying: “Moulin Rouge is a show that has it all… it is a canvas of spectacle and emotion that isn’t just a floorshow but left me floored with its sublime artistry.”
The cast for this wonderful musical has yet to be announced. However, with the bar set high by McGregor and Kidman we can expect that casting will be hard, and yet will be thought out completely to match the depths of the characters.
Be sure to book your tickets early for Moulin Rouge! as this is a performance that is promising to sell out!