Review: Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Bristol Hippodrome – ‘Risqué and ravishing; a modern twist on a classic’

From the outset of this show, the cast, costumes, set design and choreography all hint at the makings of an excellent production that embodies the very essence of theatre.

And then, in a carnival of carnage and bodacious burlesque, a story of heartbreak and hope unfolds.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical has launched its world tour in Bristol. With incredibly detailed and varied set design from Tony Award-winning Derek McLane, and attention-stealing direction from Alex Timbers, this production is packed with everything that keeps audiences coming out to the theatre.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical, 2025 touring production – photo: Johan Persson

Yet, despite its many strong facets, the musical score is questionable. Given the setting and iconography of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, some of the more modern song choices lent the scenes they featured in a sense of incongruity that undercut their seriousness.

Fear not, there are many great modern medleys that do work incredibly well, such as the Bad Romance/Toxic, Gaga-Spears mashup, or the combination of Seven Nation Army with the more classically sounding El Tango De Roxanne.

Photo: Johan Persson

But alas, the tacky side of the curation becomes apparent in several scenes. Sia’s Chandelier is the anthem to one goosebump-inducing display in which the characters drink every time the lyric “one two three, one two three drink” is repeated… yikes. While the songs are lyrically relevant to the plot, far better choices come to mind.

Under the supervision of Tony Award-winning arranger and orchestrator Justin Levine, a more balanced inclusion of traditional, Parisian, 19th century-inspired music is expected and could have strengthened the score. However, the tunes in this style that are included help to break up the less enjoyable medleys.

Photo: Matt Crockett

Thankfully, with a dazzling and intoxicatingly risqué ensemble and standout performances from Verity Thompson and Cameron Blakely, any toe-curling numbers are tempered by the entrancing and seductive cabaret.

Blakely – flamboyant and bold as scene-stealing cabaret impresario Harold Zidler – personifies the innocuous pleasure of a bohemian and feverish production. Effortlessly juggling the slapstick and stern dispositions of Zidler, the Les Misérables star risks upstaging Thompson’s love-struck Satine.

Photo: Johan Persson

But not quite. Thompson dazzles and stirs as she portrays the torn (yes, Torn by Natalie Imbruglia is indeed featured) star of the cabaret, stuck between true love Christian – portrayed by the talented Nate Landskroner – or a rich patron who can save the production. If her infinite outfit changes, each outdoing the last, aren’t enough to seduce, then her lung-busting vocals will be – making even the most excruciatingly skin-crawling song choices a thrill to hear.

If only more of the classical-inflected numbers – such as the Diamonds Are Forever/Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend Bassey/Monroe mashup or the La Vie En Rose/Milord Edith Piaf double – were woven throughout the soundtrack more prominently, perhaps some of the modern tracks wouldn’t have stuck out so sorely.

Photo: Matt Crockett

The medleys that work are perfectly varied, spanning multiple centuries. One features En Vogue’s 90s hit My Lovin’, with the lyric “and now it’s time for a breakdown” seamlessly bridging the gap between older anthems like Elvis’ Can’t Help Falling in Love to the more contemporary songs.

These mashups are welcome, but one hopes Moulin Rouge! The Musical’s shortcomings in how certain tunes are integrated will stand as a lesson in the delicate art of weaving contemporary hits into a cohesive tapestry.

Photo: Matt Crockett

The modern songs are not inherently an issue. In fact, Moulin Rouge! The Musical defies trends. Where shows like Mamma Mia! or We Will Rock You construct their narratives around one artist’s discography, this production pilfers from across pop history and modernity, echoing the 2001 films postmodern mashup style.

And when compared with the straighter narratives of productions like Bat Out of Hell or & Juliet, Moulin Rouge! The Musical successfully incubates a rarer, darker and more gritty romanticism.

Photo: Matt Crockett

Both adorned with frills and flair, the gorgeously detailed set and wardrobe are just a few of the facets that soften the wince-worthy songs. Accompanied by exciting lighting and the wonderful cast of the cabaret, particularly the outstanding trio of Blakely, Thompson and Landskroner, the production scores big at the Bristol Hippodrome.

Nearly an ace, with a few musical misnomers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is deserving of its accolades and world tour. Even if the music might make your hairs stand on end at times, this kaleidoscopic spectacle, shimmering with magic and mysticism, is worth catching this (hopefully) balmy summer.

Photo: Johan Persson

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is at Bristol Hippodrome from June 26-August 9 at 7.30pm with additional 2.30pm matinee shows on Thursday and Saturday (no shows Sunday). Tickets are available at www.atgtickets.com.

Main photo: Matt Crockett

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