Review: Moulin Rouge the musical World Tour, Edinburgh

Name: Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Brand: World Tour
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

Lisa in the theatre
May 1
5 min read

Updated: May 13

Baz Luhrmann's beloved film comes to life as Edinburgh Playhouse hosts the world premier of the brand new Moulin Rouge! the Musical World Tour.

Review: Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre | 30 April 2025 (world premier)

Cameron Blakely in Moulin Rouge the musical world tour. Photo credit Johan Persson

Moulin Rouge World Tour review | Edinburgh Playhouse ★★★★★

The first ever world tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical kicks off at the Edinburgh Playhouse this April. Following in the footsteps of Baz Luhrmann's Oscar winning film, residencies in London's West End and on Broadway, the multi-award-winning hit stage show now brings the glamourous world of 19th century Parisian cabaret to Scotland.

Set in 1899, Pairs, Moulin Rouge! The Musical follows much the same plot as the 2001 film:

Poor songwriter Christian (Nate Landskroner) falls in love with the sparkling diamond of the Moulin Rouge nightclub Satine (Verity Thompson.) But Satine has been promised to the rich and wicked Duke of Monroth (James Bryers) by the Rouge's scheming host Harold Zidler (Cameron Blakeley) as a means of saving the club. Together with his Bohemian friends, artist Toulouse-Lautrec (Kurt Kansley) and the greatest tango dancer in Paris, Santiago (Johnny Galeandro), Christian writes a stage musical spectacular in an attempt to save the Moulin Rouge and win the heart of Satine.

For this world tour production the Edinburgh Playhouse has been transformed into the iconic Parisian cabaret venue, the Moulin Rouge. A huge windmill and an elephant flank either side of the stage and the whole auditorium is bathed in sultry red and gold lighting. While restricted somewhat by playing in a temporary, touring venue (albeit for an extensive 7 week run) the Rouge creative team have done a remarkable job theming the theatre in a manner beyond that expected of a touring production. The impact upon entering the theatre is dazzling.

But the real extravaganza of Moulin Rouge! The Musical happens on the stage. Derek McLane's innovative and striking sets, Catherine Zuber's ravishing costumes and David Brian Brown's hair design are all sensational.

As in the film, Moulin Rouge! The Musical celebrates over 160 years of music from Offenbach, to Britney Spears, The Rolling Stones to Lady Gaga. The stage musical features over 70 iconic songs, including the film's anthem Come What May and Elton John's Your Song, as well as many more recent hits released since the movie premiered over 20 years ago.

So is Moulin Rouge! The Musical a jukebox musical?

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a jukebox musical (or a Duke-box musical as I like to call it) but not as you know it. The witty song arrangements by Tony Award winner Matt Stine ensure every musical number feels fresh and every classic hit sits well within the storyline. Most musical numbers are a mashup of bands or styles; it's an onslaught of overlapping, intertwining snippets of hit pop songs that defy belief.

You could argue that there are too many songs crammed in to the show at the expense of character and plot development, and it undeniably does get a bit manic at times. But it will be a marmite thing: you will either love that or hate it. I personally love it and find the mash-ups to be humorous and inspired. However my theatre companion found it all a bit too much.

Moulin Rouge the musical world tour can can dance. Credit Johan Persson

John Logan's book is simple and clear: it's the age-old story of a working-girl who has turned her life around only to face enduring hardship and prejudice. Moulin Rouge! the Musical is a love-story, a tragedy and as the show's tagline says, a celebration of truth, beauty, freedom and love. For me there's just enough story and drama to tie the rest of the show together, but there's no denying it's the exquisite dancing and music that's the biggest draw here.

The most enthusiastic cheer of the night went to the Act 2 opening number, the Lady Gaga inspired Backstage Romance, although El tango De Roxanne was just as much of a crowd-pleaser, and the merest hint of a Can-Can sent the crowd into a frenzy.

The world tour company seriously impresses with a sharp ensemble cast made up of some of the best dancers from around the world. The full-scale ensemble dance numbers are the highlight of the show with Sonya Tayeh's choreography, coupled with the skill of the dancers making for an intoxing, dazzling mix.

Verity Thompson and Nate Landskroner in Moulin Rouge the musical world tour. Photo credit Johan Persson

Every set, every scene and every performer on the massive Edinburgh Playhouse stage is heightened by Justin Townsend's phenomenal lighting design. It's simply stunning. The precision, the sparkle, the glamour, the excess - this is theatrical stage lighting turned up to eleven and it's impossible not to be wowed by it.

The lead cast are superb with first-rate performances and remarkable vocals from everyone who takes centre stage. Cameron Blakely excels with boundless energy as ringmaster Harold Zidler, our jubilant host with a sinister side. And Nate Landskroner as Christian delivers a dashing, sensitive protagonist with strong, smooth vocals who's very easy to root for.

But this is Verity Thompson's show. In a career-defining performance as Satine, Verity truly sparkles with a devastating stage presence and the powerful, impactful vocals of a shining superstar. Thompson stuns in every scene of this Moulin Rouge. I was bowled over by this relative newcomer in the recent UK tour of Heathers but here she is out-of-this-world, jaw-droppingly sensational. A star is born.

Moulin Rouge! the Musical is a gorgeous show with production values and a cast that easily match those of its West End sister. With Verity Thompson's star-turn as Satine, I'd go as far as to say that it's even better. If you yearn to be lost in an excessive world of sparkle, pop and infectious, high-energy dance routines for a few hours then Moulin Rouge! the Musical at Edinburgh Playhouse will make you go Gaga.

Shut up and raise your glass to the new Moulin Rouge world tour ★★★★★