MUSICAL THEATRE
Book by John Logan, Music-various with additional lyrics by Justin Levine
At Regent Theatre, Melbourne until 31 December 2023
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ****
This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 16 Sept 2023. KH
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| Alinta Chidzey, Des Flanagan & cast in Elephant Love Medley - Credit Michelle Grace Hunder |
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a jukebox musical with a difference and it is a vivid, vivacious and exhilarating night in the theatre. On opening night of this return season in Melbourne, the crowd clapped like seals and leapt simultaneously to their feet at the spectacular finale.
John Logan’s book for the musical is based on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 movie, Moulin Rouge, and the musical, like the film, is set in the iconic Moulin Rouge night club in 19th century Paris. It follows the poignant love story of Christian (Des Flanagan), a young, American aspiring songwriter seeking inspiration and success in Paris, and Satine (Alinta Chidzey), an exotic, beautiful and much-desired courtesan and nightclub performer who, of course, is dying from consumption. The tale is all very romantic and operatic and has echoes of La Boheme, Camille and La Traviata.
The opening scene of the musical is an electrifying scene featuring sassy, raunchy, vivacious and eclectic choreography (Sonya Tayeh), including a Can Can, all set to the disco hit, Lady Marmalade, sung by the entire multi-talented chorus.
Justin Levine’s music is an inspired collision of eclectic music, snatches of lyrics and entire pop songs that create not only a ‘guess that tune’ effect for the audience, but also an imaginative and innovative approach to telling a love story through music.
The most cunningly inventive song is a love duet between Satine and Christian; it is an argument about the positives and negatives of love comprised of lyrics from multiple, well-known love songs. It’s a delight to hear the excerpts from lyrics re-contextualised to create a dialogue in song.
However, the most moving scene is Bert la Bonté as the feisty artist and rebel, Toulouse-Lautrec, singing the heart-breakingly beautiful ballad, Nature Boy, as a tender love song about his longstanding, unrequited love for Satine. It was the most intimate and compelling moment in the show.
The over-the-top, eye-popping stage design (Derek McLane) brings to technicolour life locations including the Moulin Rouge nightclub, Satine’s boudoir (inside a five-metre-high elephant), and Christian’s attic apartment, all boldly coloured in vivid crimsons, rich indigos and, in the absinth scene, glittering greens. There are neon signs and atmospheric lighting (Justin Townsend), decorative balconies and trapezes flying.
The extravaganza of costumes (Catherine Zuber) includes sexy cabaret outfits of silks and lace, scarlet feathers, skimpy corsets, stockings and suspenders, revealing gowns and plenty of flashing limbs and flesh. In total contrast, one scene features elegant and dignified period costumes harking back to My Fair Lady.
Chidzey is a classic ‘triple threat’ in musical theatre – she can sing, dance and act – and her Satine is sassy and passionate, vibrating with anxiety about her failing health and the grim future that compels her to become the Duke of Monroth’s courtesan in order to survive.
Flanagan has a warm and bright upper register with a fine vibrato and, as Christian, his callow, awkward American boyishness remains credible and, surprisingly, not annoying throughout.
James Bryers has a fine voice and is suitably sultry, supercilious and manipulative as the Duke. Simon Burke is wacky, mischievous and ribald as Harold Zidler, owner and host of the Moulin Rouge, while the ebullient and skilful ensemble fills the stage with characters, songs and dance.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical boast a talented, energetic cast and the production is a wild and exhilarating ride with a touch of pathos at the very end.
by Kate Herbert
Cast
Alinta Chidzey Satine
Des Flanagan Christian
Simon Burke AO Harold Zidler
James Bryers The Duke of Monroth
Bert la Bonté Toulouse-Lautrec
Ryan Gonzalez Santiago
Samantha Dodemaide -Nini
Olivia Vásquez Arabia
Chaska Halliday La Chocolat
Christopher J Scalzo Babydoll
Creative Team
Book John Logan
Director Alex Timbers
Choreographer Sonya Tayeh
Music Supervisor, Orchestrator, Arrangements & Additional Lyrics Justin Levine
Scenic Designer Derek McLane
Costume Designer Catherine Zuber
Lighting Designer Justin Townsend
Sound Designer Peter Hylensk
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