How to have the perfect night out at 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical'

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is more than just a stage show — it’s a cultural phenomenon. The Moulin Rouge! The Musical song list features over 70 pop songs and is a contemporary work of art. The love story of Christian and Satine rivals William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. But the Moulin Rouge! The Musical costumes, scenery, and overall aesthetic are truly what make an evening at the musical a cultural event.

The Moulin Rouge! The Musical costume designs are by Tony Award-winning designer Catherine Zuber. In the outfits, there’s a mixture of Parisian history with modern art to create a kitsch kaleidoscope of dreams.

Want to experience a luxury nightclub atmosphere while at the theatre? Step into theatrical paradise at Moulin Rouge! The Musical, courtesy of Derek McClane’s boundary-pushing immersive scenic design.

Get ready to enter a grand world, where everything is larger than life. The lavish scenic design includes an extravagant 18-foot elephant and giant hearts adorning the walls; you can’t escape the romance here. No trip to the famed Parisian nightclub is complete without the iconic Parisian windmill, and the Moulin Rouge! The Musical auditorium has its own too.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is more than just a piece of theatre; it’s an experience. So why not treat it If you’re seeing the show, you may want to dress up for the occasion and feel as if you’re at the Parisian nightclub. Find your freedom, your beauty, your truth and your love in your own Moulin Rouge! The Musical outfit. Here's how to get the full Moulin Rouge experience at the theatre.

Book Moulin Rouge! The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Get the Moulin Rouge! The Musical look

Looking to dress up for Moulin Rouge! The Musical without feeling like you’re in fancy dress? You’ve come to the right place. First, you may want to sort out a Moulin Rouge! The Musical hairstyle. For those with shorter hair, go for a sleek look and comb back your locks by gelling it all in one place. If you want to go big, tousle your hair by teasing it and add some curls.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical makeup is all about a smoky eye and bright colours. There’s no muted tones here.

A Moulin Rouge! The Musical hairstyle can be done in two ways. Go for a sleek look and comb back your locks by gelling it all in one place. If you want to go big, tousle your hair by teasing it and add some curls.

No outfit is too much or too overdressed for Moulin Rouge! The Musical. So whatever you decide to wear, you’ll fit right in. If you want to look like one of the legendary can-can dancers, pair a tight bodice or corset with a long, ruffled skirt. The more ruffles, the better! Finish the look off with a pair of black ankle boots and you’ll be kicking your way to the theatre.

Wish you could look like Christian, or maybe even Harold Zidler? Their outfits start off fairly similar; a waistcoat and tight-fitting shirt of your colour choosing. Then the Moulin Rouge! The Musical dressing up fun can begin. For Christian, wear a neck scarf and black trousers for a smart look. For Harold Zidler, finish your look with a patterned jacket and trousers combo, with a black top hat and cane. You too “can-can” look great once you’ve mastered this look.

Want to be a stunning chanteuse like Satine? We’ve got one quick tip, and that’s to find a red dress. While Satine may wear many bedazzled outfits during the show, it’s the long, scarlet number complete with a high-necked necklace that is quintessentially Satine.

Did you know that the necklace Nicole Kidman wears in the film cost $1 million, and was the most expensive piece of jewellery made for a movie? While it’s very unlikely you’ll spend $1 million dollars, you can still feel like a million dollars with a sparkling necklace, bracelets, and elbow-length satin gloves.

What to eat and drink before and after Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Unfortunately, you can’t eat at Moulin Rouge! The Musical like the tableside dining options at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Instead, live out your Parisian fantasies before and after seeing Moulin Rouge! The Musical at a French restaurant. Say “Ooh la la” to the waiter as your meal is served in a candlelit setting that screams romance.

There’s sure to be a contemporary French restaurant near you that’ll serve up a Moulin Rouge! The Musical inspired meal. We recommend booking in advance though, as you won’t want to eat your entire meal and then rush to the theatre in a matter of minutes.

If you’re planning to drink before Moulin Rouge! The Musical, we recommend popping open a bottle of champagne — it’s France’s most popular drink, so why not make it yours too? France is famed for its world-renowned wine regions too. From Bordeaux to Burgundy, French wine is regarded to be some of the best wine you can drink. So if you’re planning an authentic French night out to see Moulin Rouge! The Musical, sip on French wine as your tipple of choice all night long.

What to watch before Moulin Rouge! The Musical

If you’ve never seen the Moulin Rouge! film, it’s for the best to steer clear of the film before seeing the stage production. This way, you’ll see Moulin Rouge! The Musical with fresh eyes, ensuring you’re not spoiling the fun beforehand. But, if you know everything about Moulin Rouge!, why not watch the movie one more time just for good luck?

What to listen to before Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Did you know that Moulin Rouge! The Musical features snippets of over 70 songs? That’s a lot of music. Even if you’ve never watched the Moulin Rouge! film before, you’ll recognise Moulin Rouge! The Musical songs including “Lady Marmalade,” “Your Song” and “Come What May”, all made popular from the 2001 movie.

The Moulin Rouge! The Musical soundtrack is like tuning a radio to the chart-topping hits of the 2000s and 2010s. Listen to the soundtrack here and get in the mood for a night of fun, laughter and romance.

Originally published on

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