Moulin Rouge! The Musical has opened at Liverpool Empire Theatre, with 70,000 tickets already sold. The show, described as "spectacular" by theatre director Diane Belding, will run until Saturday, August 8, marking one of the theatre's longest runs since Hamilton.
Show Details and Storyline
The musical brings Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film to life on stage, featuring more than 70 songs ranging from Offenbach to Lady Gaga. Set in Paris in 1899, it follows the love story between Christian, a lovesick American writer, and Satine, the star of the Moulin Rouge nightclub. Their romance is threatened by Harold Zidler, the nightclub's host, and The Duke of Monroth, a wealthy patron who desires Satine.
The production has won 10 Tony Awards in 2021, including Best Musical, an Olivier Award, two Drama League Awards, five Drama Desk Awards, and 10 Outer Critics Circle Award citations.
Local Talent and Audience Reaction
Kurt Kansley, who plays artist Toulouse-Lautrec, praised Liverpool audiences: "I think the people are so vibrant, friendly and diverse. I've always been very fond of a Scouse accent as well, but the people are not afraid to, kind of, be rowdy, listen, enjoy themselves and laugh. It's really wonderful to be up here."
Scott Sutcliffe, a local actor from Rainhill High School who performs as Baby Doll, said: "I've been working for about 10 years now professionally as an actor and it's the first time I've been able to bring a show to Liverpool. I got off the train on the first day yesterday and walked to work. I just couldn't stop beaming because I couldn't believe that I was in Liverpool for the first time and performing here at the Liverpool Empire."
He added: "I think there's something special about this theatre. It just has an energy about it. I feel so proud to be here. I've been telling all my castmates, 'I can't wait until we get to Liverpool, you're going to love the audiences because everyone is so supportive'. They love theatre in Liverpool, and it just feels like a full circle moment for me."
Theatre Director on Success and Future Plans
Diane Belding, director of Liverpool Empire Theatre, said: "I'm always amazed when a new production comes in and blows me away with this spectacular vision for everyone who is coming to see it. It's doing really well. We've got about 70,000 seats sold so far. We're expecting that to hit around the 100,000 mark. It's a long run, it's here until we go into August."
She noted that six-week runs are rare for the theatre: "We don't tend to have really long runs, but six weeks is very similar to Hamilton and it's the longest run since Hamilton. So, it's really exciting." Belding also revealed that the theatre's 2026 schedule is already full and she is planning into 2027: "I've just asked for a 2027 planner to go up on the wall and I can't see any spaces. I'm into the end of 2027 now, where it's a bit like everything is confirmed and it's really, really busy and some great shows."
