The highly acclaimed Moulin Rouge! The Musical, which has been wowing audiences around Australia, is set to arrive at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC) Lyric Theatre on Tuesday, May 16th, 2023. The production is a lavish, sensory feast of visual and auditory experiences, immersing audiences in the world of the original Moulin Rouge nightclub. The show is a 10-time Tony Award winner, with audiences enjoying sold-out seasons in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. The Brisbane season is also expected to be a complete sell-out.
The Queensland season will feature Alinta Chidzey as Satine, the sparkling diamond, with Des Flanagan portraying bohemian dreamer Christian. The legendary club impresario Harold Zidler will be played by Simon Burke AO and James Bryers as The Duke. Montmartre’s resident artistes will be played by Jarrod Draper as Toulouse-Lautrec and Ryan Gonzalez as Santiago. The club’s famed entertainers, the ‘Lady M’s,’ will be played by Samantha Dodemaide as Nini, Olivia Vásquez as Arabia, Chaska Halliday as La Chocolat, and Christopher J Scalzo as Babydoll.
The show begins before the curtains are raised, as the Lyric Theatre’s auditorium is dressed to look like the Parisian nightclub. The set design is a tribute to the iconic Moulin Rouge, with gold leaf-covered railings, gold columns, custom chandeliers, and hand-painted red festoon lighting. The most famous symbol, the red windmill, which sits atop the real Parisian nightclub, has been brought to life with a giant replica, and a 220kg replica of the blue elephant that was in the garden of the Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris also appears on stage.
Audiences are encouraged to arrive early to experience the immersive environment, with performers mingling with patrons in the style of a Parisian nightclub. There is a pre-show, and even some of the lead actors make appearances. Phones are put away as the show officially begins, and the ‘Moulin Rouge’ sign hanging above the stage is a genuine neon sign weighing 370kgs.
Producer Carmen Pavlovic said, “Our aspiration was to create a show that genuinely surprises audiences – whether you have seen the movie or not. The show is so lavish, so bold and deeply romantic, guests should be prepared for a completely immersive sensory experience. The Australian production team that are integral in bringing our show to life are quite simply some of the best in the world and we can’t wait for Brisbane to experience the spectacular.”
Tickets are limited and will be in high demand, as Brisbane audiences eagerly await the arrival of this stunning, multi-award-winning musical. Find out more from QPAC.
