Moulin Rouge is a well-known and notorious entertainment venue in Montmartre in Paris. A place that got a new lease of life with Baz Luhrmann’s film “Moulin Rouge!” from 2001 – which has also become a musical. I was at the Scandinavian premiere in Oslo with Sondre Lerche in the role of the artistic soul Christian, Heidi Ruud Ellingsen as the cabaret star Satine and Anders Baasmo as the sly nightclub owner Zidler. MYTH SPINNING: Moulin Rouge (translated from French: red mill) has been the place for cabarets and nightlife, feather decorations and extravagance since 1889. Photo: Fredrik Arff A premiere of a famous musical raises high expectations. “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is a hit parade of dimensions – where the film contained 40 well-known songs, they are now almost twice as many in the course of three hours. That in itself is a pure party. From Beyonce’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” to “Lady Marmalade”, which is known from the film. Anti-climax But exactly “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?” becomes a kind of anti-climax in the opening when it is performed by just four dancing girls, as it says in the programme. MONEY PROBLEMS? It doesn’t look like a nightclub in crisis, but it is. Director Zidler (Anders Baasmo) is here surrounded by the “Lady Marmalades”, from left: Anna-Lisa Kumoji, Kayd Wacays, Kirsti Lucena and Kirsty McDonald. Photo: Fredrik Arff With so few on stage in what can be said to be the key to a kickstart, the production makes it difficult for itself. There will be a big void to fill, because this is a scene that sets the mood. In the film it is lavish and teeming, it is not here. Although the tempo is high, the shifts many, the dancers very skilled and precise – the dance crew here is good! – then the choreography is experienced at times as fast and aggressive, especially in the first numbers. Lerche experiences magic The story of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is about the naive artistic soul Christian who travels to Paris to seek happiness. He makes bohemian friends who take him to the Moulin Rouge – where he meets Satine, the nightclub’s sparkling diamond. The two fall in love, but the rich Count also wants her. He can save a nightclub on the brink of bankruptcy. Satine must choose. But she also carries a dark secret. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: Can-can, skirts and playing with identities: Moulin Rouge has it all. From left: Oliver Paulsson, Anders Baasmo and Reno Andersen. Photo: Fredrik Arff When the well-known artist Sondre Lerche is cast in the role of Christian, the production gets an artist with an established and credible expression. Unfortunately, Lerche is not a musical artist. He doesn’t dance, and surprisingly, he struggles in the top parts of several of the songs. In appearance, he is more of a singer than an actor – at first much of what he does seems rehearsed. He reacts to his teammates’ lines almost before they are finished speaking, and he is unable to position his body well in the room. It’s not enough to throw your bangs in the familiar style when you’re on a musical stage with such strong co-players around you. NEW ACQUAINTANCES: Christian (Sondre Lerche, center) is introduced to the nightlife by Santiago (Modou Bah, left) and Toulouse-Lautrec (Jan Martin Johnsen). Photo: Fredrik Arff But then something almost magical happens to him when he meets opposite player Heidi Ruud Ellingsen. Suddenly he falls into place in the character, and he gets better and better throughout the play. In the final scene, he is really in place. I pinch my arm and ask “What happened?”. The answer to everything that sparkles in this show is called Heidi Ruud Ellingsen. Resistance and tailwind For Heidi Ruud Ellingsen, the other good people sing, and she plays the other good people. From the moment she comes on stage, the performance finds its shape, it flows, the energy is in place and the team is complete. At the premiere, there was no doubt: It is Heidi Ruud Ellingsen who carries the musical. She gives resistance and tailwind to the others. She is a complex character that brings out several sides of the others. She goes all in with exactly the right energy at the right time. But most importantly: She plays Lerche well. TEAMWORK: Heidi Ruud Ellingsen plays Sondre Lerche well during “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”. Photo: Fredrik Arff “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is a party and a hit parade. The costumes are elaborate, and they are designed to carry an important part of the storytelling. The musical arrangements are full of clever transitions, it is well done to lead the audience through 70 numbers with sing-along potential. The ensemble on stage is good, the choreography is solid and well-worked. Here are feathers, glitter, mood, absinthe and all the big feelings. IN DA CLUB: The nightclub’s sparkling diamond, Satine (Heidi Ruud Ellingsen) surrounded by her fellow cabaret artists in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”. Photo: Fredrik Arff The first barely half an hour is characterized by a start that is not entirely convincing and storytelling that takes time – but then it works out. At times the ensemble numbers are pure fireworks. Although there is hard teamwork behind the musical: Most of this performance pales in the brilliance of Heidi Ruud Ellingsen. news reviews Photo: Fredrik Arff Title: “Moulin Rouge! The Musical» Where: Chateau Neuf, Oslo With: Heidi Ruud Ellingsen, Sondre Lerche, Anders Baasmo, Amanda Kamara, Kirsti Lucena, Hans Marius Hoff Mittet, Modou Bah, Anna-Lisa Kumoji, Kirsty McDonald, Jan Martin Johnsen, Kayd Wacays, Reno Andersen, Håvard Eikeseth, Alexander Langset, Albertine Lundgren, Cristián Sandoval Ronnby, Christiane Bergersen, Anne Marit Tynes, Sara E. Larsen, Pia Lauritzen, Maria Wulcan, Oliver Paulsson, Patrick Terndrup, Jan Nicolai Wesnes, Guro Kristiansen, Thale Holtan Hovland , Cassandra Bækkel. Screenplay: John Logan Music and text: Various artists Arrangement, orchestration, supplementary music and text: Justin Levine Dance arrangement: Justin Levine and Matt Stine Co-orchestration: Katie Kresek, Charlie Rosen and Matt Stine Director: Mattias Carlsson Nordic director: Anders Albien Translation: Teodor Jansson Choreography: Jennie Widegren, Zain Odelstål, Kirsty McDonald, Anja Gaarder, Takis Lighting design: Palle Palmé Sound design: Erik Valderhaug Mask and wig design: Sara Klänge Costume design: Astrid Lynge Ottosen Music responsible/tracks: Joakim Pedersen Bandmaster: Petter Kragstad Assistant director: Simen Gloppen Date: August 30-25. November 2023 Sondre Lerche and Heidi Ruud Ellingsen perform “Come what may” from Moulin Rouge during KORK’s summer concert on 16 August 2023. Video: news
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“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” at Chateau Neuf – Reviews and recommendations
