I ought to have caught to my instincts to keep away from Moulin Rouge, it actually didn’t do it for me in any respect

“You’d think that people would have had enough of silly love songs”

You’d additionally suppose that I’d’ve realized to stay with my instincts by now. Through the torturous trickiness of attempting to open a present mid-lockdowns, I used to be by no means truly actually tempted by the prospect of seeing Moulin Rouge in any case, however the provide of an affordable ticket and a cocktail or three received me out to the Piccadilly Theatre, which has been impressively gussied as much as transport us to Montmartre and there’s no two methods about it, the present is visually beautiful.

Derek McLane’s units are dizzyingly ingenious, as big windmills and elephants look on, and the wealthy exuberance of Catherine Zuber’s costumes is one thing spectacular. Throw within the kinetic power of Sonya Tayeh’s choreography and a fiercely proficient ensemble and also you’re given a number of moments of breathtaking musical theatre – Alex Timber’s path is alongside the traces of extra extra extra and in some methods, it delivers on West End spectacle (and at these costs, it actually ought to).

But I discovered the present itself to be shockingly weak. I don’t suppose anybody was watching Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 movie for the plot however John Logan’s (John Logan!) adaptation is frustratingly finished, streamlining the messiness that characterised the bohemian residing of this group and for some motive, does Satine soiled by not having her have appearing aspirations. There’s barely any actual character work happening and thus little chemistry to interact us whereas we look ahead to the subsequent glitter cannon to be loaded. 

As is usually the case with diversifications of movies with iconic soundtracks, the updating of the rating right here additionally sat wrongly with me. An early exponent of the jukebox kind, the rigorously crafted mashups had been revelatory on the time however following the ethos of extra extra extra, the additions of any and each pop track somebody considered at that second really feel slapdash and someday careless, too typically pulling focus as you simply go ‘huh, Katy Perry right now, really?’ (no slight on Ms Perry in any respect).

Jamie Muscato and Melissa James lead the solid with undoubted ability to make certain, Muscato’s takeover as Christian was one of many causes for me altering my thoughts, however they’re dwarfed by a manufacturing that doesn’t actually care about them and a e book that positively doesn’t. That stated, the theatre was filled with individuals having a a lot better time than me, and ticket gross sales look wholesome for the months forward, so it’s clearly hitting the mark for a lot of. 

Running time: 2 hours half-hour (with interval)
Photos: Johan Persson
Moulin Rouge is reserving on the Piccadilly Theatre till third June