The show is welcoming three new leads as the West End version is entering its second year. Based on the 20th Century Fox classic, the montage is a romantic extravanganza also celebrating 120 years of music, with a repertoire ranging from 19th-century composers to pop singers such as Lady Gaga.
Why live life from dream to dream? And dread the day when dreaming ends. Well, luckily enough for those whose lay their fantasies on the magic of a live performance, the dream is far from over. As one of the hottest (in all senses) shows in town enters its second year, the production has confirmed a new leading trio to follow up on the extravagance and romance of Paris’ no 1 nightclub, who will be treading the Moulin Rouge’s boards from next month on.
Melissa James (The Bodyguard UK Tour and Cats UK Tour) as Satine, Jamie Muscato (Heathers The Musical) as Christian and Matt Rixon (Hairspray UK Tour) as Harold Zidler will be the new ones to play the main characters – joined by Ian Carlyle (Disney’s The Lion King, Porgy and Bess) who remains with the cast and takes over the role of Toulouse-Lautrec, Ben Richards (The Bill and Emmerdale) as The Duke, Elia Lo Tauro (Disney’s The Lion King, On Your Feet) who continues to play Santiago and Amy Thornton (Matilda, Rock of Ages) who continues with the cast and steps into the role of Nini. The cast also includes recent graduate Tiago Dhondt Bamberger as Baby Doll, Hannah Jay-Allan (TINA: The Tina Turner Musical) as Arabia, Elliotte Williams-N’Dure (Unfortunate) as La Chocolat, and Tanisha Spring (The Prince of Egypt) who will continue to play Alternate Satine, apart from its over 20-piece ensemble.
Directed by Tony Award® winner Alex Timbers (other credits include Here Lies Love, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Peter and the Starcatcher), the show is based on Baz Luhrmann’s 20th Century Fox movie, and to date accumulates a long list of accolades, such as the winner of ten 2021 Tony Awards including Best Musical, an Olivier Award, two Drama League Awards. Featuring impressive set designs by Derek McLane and costumes by Catherine Zuber, the montage is also a celebration of 120 years of music, from classic composers like Offenbach to contemporary pop singers like Lady Gaga.
Moulin Rouge plays at the Picadilly Theatre from Monday to Saturday. Tickets are available on the following link.
First Night Magazine 