Welcome to the Moulin Rouge!
Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Mayflower Theatre Southampton, 30 September – 24 October 2026
The scene is set the moment we walk into the theatre, subtly captivating our attention with the stage drenched in red and performers hypnotising us with their seductive, purposeful moves. The atmosphere gradually builds and feels electric even before the main show begins. There is pure magic in the powerful moment when the intro music stops and the audience collectively holds its breath, waiting for those first words to release us from the spell. Then, all at once, we are thrown into a beautifully chaotic world of swirling costumes, bold, elaborate dance moves and wonderfully familiar lyrics.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a revelation. Adapted from Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary 2001 film, it delivers everything audiences loved about the original – forbidden love, all-consuming jealousy and inevitable tragedy – brought to life before your eyes with a tantalising excess of glitz and grandeur, elevating the story to a whole new level and creating a theatrical masterpiece.
PICTURED ABOVE: (L-R) Claudia Kariuki as La Chocolat, Kahlia Davis asNini, Ellie Jane Grant as Arabia and Scott Sutcliffe as Baby Doll | Photo credit Matt Crockett
Set in the dazzling world of 19th-century Paris, Moulin Rouge! The Musical tells the story of Christian, a young writer who falls hopelessly in love with Satine, the glamorous star of the famous Moulin Rouge nightclub. Their passionate romance unfolds against a backdrop of spectacular performances, jealousy and ambition, as Satine is torn between following her heart and securing the future of the struggling club.
The soundtrack is a lavish celebration of iconic hits spanning the decades, from beautiful, heartfelt solos to mind-blowing, inspired mash-ups. It retains the much-loved songs from the original film, whilst infusing them with more contemporary anthems from the likes of Pink, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, breathing new life into the soundtrack.
Nate Landskroner played the hopeless romantic Christian with what felt like effortless charm, creating an endearing character full of warmth and charisma. With his dulcet tones, we were pulled into his story, feeling the passion of his love and, for a moment, believing that maybe love really is all you need!
Verity Thompson dazzled us, both figuratively and literally, from the moment she floated onto the stage as Satine, and never faltered throughout. Her voice soared through the theatre, each beautiful note washing over the audience and leaving absolutely no doubt as to the scale of her talent.
Entrancing us through everything from high-energy dance routines to tender, slowed-down duets, the onstage chemistry between Nate and Verity was electric. The depth of emotion they conjured made their connection utterly believable, drawing us into a love story that felt as intoxicating as it was enviable.
Cameron Blakely lit up the stage as club host and owner Harold Zidler, peppering the story with quirky quips and a flamboyance that brought light-hearted laughter to the audience. His non-stop energy and pizzazz injected a unique, deeply personal flair into every song and dance.
In direct contrast comes the character we are meant to loathe: The Duke, masterfully portrayed by Craig Watson, who gave us everything we could want from the villain of the story. Craig perfectly captured The Duke’s dark and ruthless persona, with his possessive jealousy threatening to shatter the very ideal of true love.
The fiercely loyal Bohemian duo of Toulouse-Lautrec and Santiago, played by Kurt Kansley and Rodrigo Negrini, brought an infectious energy and idealism to the stage. Fighting for truth, beauty, freedom and, above all, love, the pair threw themselves into their roles with captivating enthusiasm, perfectly embodying the rebellious spirit at the heart of the Bohemian dream.
Every member of the ensemble deserves individual praise. The way they threw themselves wholeheartedly into each number showcased incredible technical skill, while their collective performance was nothing short of exhilarating, bringing every inch of the stage to life in a whirlwind of colour, movement and high kicks. Alongside them, the band provided the glue that held the whole production together, delivering a seemingly effortless blend of note-perfect music that drove the story from beginning to end.
For a night of pure escapism, enter the world of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, currently showing at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, until 24 October. Lose yourself in this story of love, sacrifice and chasing your dreams. Come to the stars with me; allow yourself to laugh, cry, feel your heart soar, then break, because the beautifully seductive world of the Moulin Rouge is not one to be missed — come what may!
Words by Vicky Anscombe
