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24th October 2025
05:07pm BST
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As we brace ourselves for the colder, rainier months, things are set to heat up at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre as the cast of Moulin Rouge! The Musical brings its ‘Sparkling Diamond’ to town.
I was lucky enough to see the cabaret spectacle live in London at the Piccadilly Theatre, but once the curtain lifted, I was in Paris and the year was 1900.
As soon as you take your seat, you’re in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris watching Christian, a down-on-his-luck writer, fall in love with Satine, the ’Sparkling Diamond’ of the Moulin Rouge cabaret.
One problem: The powerful, dangerous, and wealthy Duke of Monroth makes a deal with Moulin Rouge’s owner, Harold Zidler, to fund the cabaret in exchange for Satine, making this a battle between love and duty.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Bohemians and Artists, Coquettes and Boulevardiers… May I present to you, our Sparkling Diamond”
Those familiar with the Baz Luhrmann-directed film know that this story is a whirlwind of love, art, and sacrifice; It’s complex, passionate, and tragically beautiful. The stage adaptation is no different.
The John-Logan-stage adaptation roars to life through a 52-song set list, including the classic Moulin Rouge! favourites, mash-ups of modern music, and nostalgic hits. Each track is perfectly curated to mirror and elevate its scene.
During my visit, I had the privilege of seeing Angela Marie Hurst and Dom Simpson command the stage as Satine and Christian, honouring the performances that came before them, while completely making these roles their own.
The choreography will have you questioning if the cast is in fact part of a Parisian cabaret, as they twist, twirl, prance, and dance across the stage in perfect sync with the music for two hours and 45 minutes with zero missteps, often in heavy and elaborate gowns and towering hats that capture the essence of the 1900 era.
“Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and above all things, Love.”
We had the opportunity to visit backstage of the show, which allowed us to fully understand the blood, sweat and tears that go into a production like Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
From the unmissable giant elephants right down to the perfectly placed wigs, electric lighting and booming vocals, every detail is extravagant and spectacular, yet considered and intentional. While scripting and acting walk the perfect balance between theatrical and immersive.
This is a well-oiled machine chock full of talent, razzle dazzle, humour, and heartbreak, with every cue, every costume change, and choreography running like clockwork.
Moulin Rouge invites us into a world of sequins and feathers, love and heartbreak; one where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and equally revel in electrifying enchantment.
It’s heart-racing, it’s toe-tapping, and jaw-dropping. It's captivating escapism at its very core.
If you see this and you don’t feel like hitting the town to dance after this intoxicating cocktail of crackling music, mesmerising choreography, colourful costumes, and a tipple of champagne, tell me how.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical comes to Dublin's Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from November 20th, 2025, until January 11th, 2026.
You can buy tickets here.
Age Guidance: Recommended for ages 12+. Under 16s must be accompanied and seated next to a parent/guardian aged 18+ and have their own ticket. No children under the age of three will be permitted.
Special Effects: Contains flashing lights, haze, and gunshot sound effects.
Performance Schedule and Times: Subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control.
Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.
Access Performance:
Irish Sign Language Performance: Tuesday, December 2nd, 7.30 pm
Audio Described Performance: Tuesday, December 9th, 7.30 pm
Captioned Performance: Wednesday, December 10th, 7.30 pm
Buy tickets here.
