Moulin Rouge! Moulin Rouge!
Piccadilly Theatre in London Booking to May 28, 2hrs 45mins
Play What I Wrote
Theatre Royal in Bath Up to March 5th, 1hr 55mins
It has been years since a theatrical premiere was so eagerly awaited. Moulin Rouge! – scheduled to open last March and postponed twice because of Covid.
The eye-popping show is sure to blow the dust off West End, which has reemerged with insouciant, sexy swagger.
On Broadway it won ten Tony Awards (one fewer than the blockbusting Hamilton), not surprising given the sumptuous costumes – a riot of cinching corsetry, fishnet and feathers, and sometimes that’s just the chaps – and sets, the barnstorming choreography and the sheer high-octane energy of the cast.

Jamie Bogyo and Liisi LaFontaine, (above), show their vocal talents at both full throttle and in more intimate moments
You can plug these things into the National Grid in an emergency.
It’s based on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film, with Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman as the penniless American songwriter, Christian, who falls for Satine, the performer/courtesan in the demi-monde of Montmartre and the titular cabaret around the turn of the century.
There are elements of La Bohème and Romeo And Juliet, plus the louche, libidinous attitude of Cabaret (there’s even a campy MC, a fruity Clive Carter) with his own ‘wilkommen’.
The USP of Luhrmann’s film was its mash-up of anachronistic pop music to illuminate the story. Here it’s often an ingenious, dizzying daisy-chain of riffs and references, indeed like a film jump-cutting, from Bowie to Marc Bolan and Nat King Cole.
It’s a lot like the old game Show That Tune.

Alex Timbers’s production might be seen as a glitzy, kitschy triumph of style and maximalist glamour over substance, but what style
Some people are forced to listen (The Sound Of Music?It’s a lot like Mamma Mia! The audience was astonished to see them all greet each other in 1999. It’s a smart exercise in nostalgia.
The numbers were updated since the film was released, with the addition of Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.
The sheer volume and length of those little snippets might make you numb, sometimes. But the core points of this story are grounded with long-form songs.
Elton John’s Your Song and Adele’s Rolling In The Deep are used to particularly good effect, with the leads Jamie Bogyo and Liisi LaFontaine showing off their vocal prowess both at full throttle and more tender moments.
LaFontaine is all pop diva in a blend of Diamonds Are Forever and Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend, suitably as her role has been beefed up for the stage.
Bogyo is stronger later on, excelling in an absinthe-induced Argentine tango number to Sting’s Roxanne (superb choreography by Sonya Tayeh) and the climactic Come What May.
I’m not sure I was completely convinced by the chemistry between the lovers, and Alex Timbers’s production might be seen as a glitzy, kitschy triumph of style and maximalist glamour over substance. What style?
The Morecambe and Wise TV shows – Robert Gore Langton – had a particularly joyous slot: The Play Wot Ernie Wrote, which always featured a guest star – Arthur Lowe, Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson – who would then gamely proceed to enact Ernie’s clunking lines.

Originally staged 20 years ago, the boys are now played by Dennis Herdman (tall, gangly and very Eric-ish) and Thom Tuck (above, with Herdman, pretentious, soulful and Ernie-esque)
This is a fond, funny tribute to them. It’s written by Hamish McColl and Sean Foley, and with the late Eddie Braben, the TV series script writer, properly credited.
This production originally took place 20 years ago. Kenneth Branagh was the director. Foley has been replaced as the director. The boys are now played by Dennis Herdman, who is tall, gangly, and very Eric-ish, and Thom Tuck, who is pretentious, soulful, and Ernie-esque.
Are you looking for magic moments? Dennis in a 12ft dungeon. The songs, gags, and timing of whip-smart moves are all part of the entertainment.
This show is truly a tonic. It doesn’t make the error of lowering its standards, offering retro delight and only sunshine.