Moulin Rouge – The Musical at Murat Theatre

Set in the Bohemian period during the late 19th century, Moulin Rouge! The Musical was heavily taken from French history. The show is set in and is focused on retelling the dealings of a real nightclub in Montmartre, Paris, called the Moulin Rouge, where the can-can dance was born. By the turn of the 20th century, Moulin Rouge became renowned for its French Cabaret style – ecstatic, free-spirited, and pure party entertainment. This Parisian entertainment venue that the staging was inspired by also influenced the production, with Baz Luhrmann and the Broadway play's team stating that they did take parts of the late 1900s time period, and it can undoubtedly be witnessed in the performance. The set, costume design, classical renditions, and song and dance numbers (which showcases a lot of can-can dance) all obviously are a clear inspiration from to the original Moulin Rouge.

It is in this time of history leading up to the 1900s and smack in the middle of the French La Belle Époque, a period pointed to as the peak of beauty and spreading artistry, where the forbidden tale of two lovers take place. Christian, an American writer who travels to Paris aiming for a successful passion, meets Satine, the ultimate performer of the Moulin Rouge. The couple, despite many oncoming trials and tribulations, fall crazily in love and are forced into a secret affair with each other due to the Duke of Monroth's intervention.

Contrary to other accounts, the duration of La Belle Époque was attacked by many not as a time period of cultural and artistic development. Historians are of the opinion that this time period were all about rising tension beneath the surface. the Broadway play, however, chose to showcase the era in a more positive viewpoint by highlighting the good Bohemian values of truth, beauty, freedom, and love, as witnessed through Christian and Satine’s fight for love throughout the musical.

In more recent years, theatre fans have the opening to enjoy the entertainment most likely also enjoyed by the original patrons of the Moulin Rouge, as Moulin Rouge! The Musical will be produced at an equally lively and incredible venue, Murat Theatre at Old National Centre. With interior decor just as sprightly as the set that it is staging, Murat Theatre at Old National Centre is the ideal fit for Moulin Rouge’s limited production on Wednesday 15th January 2025. Tickets are now available for purchase through the links that can be found at the top of this website.