Play Guides

Guide to seeing Moulin Rouge! The Musical in Melbourne

The four Lady Ms - Nini, La Chocolat, Arabia and Babydoll - posing as the curtain lifts on the Melbourne production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical

RACV

Posted December 08, 2023

Moulin Rouge! The Musical, the ‘spectacular spectacular’,will take its final bow in January 2024 for an encore season filled with truth, beauty, freedom and love.

In 2021, Moulin Rouge! The Musical burst onto the stage at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre to much acclaim, can-canning and cartwheeling its way into audience hearts. 

After touring Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, the smash-hit jukebox musical based off the film of the same name returned to Melbourne for a popular encore season in August 2023.

The 10-time Tony Award winning production is a feast for the senses, with its lush set design and costumes just as astounding as the energetic choreography and pop soundtrack, which featured songs from the original film plus modern hits. 

Here's everything to know about Moulin Rouge! The Musical's final run in Melbourne for 2023 and 2024. 

RACV Members can enjoy a range of theatre benefits with Ticketek, with exclusive offers to access a range of theatre experiences and events in Melbourne’s famed East End. 

 

Moulin Rouge! The Musical returns to Melbourne in 2023.

Everything you need to know about seeing Moulin Rouge! The Musical in Melbourne

What is Moulin Rouge! The Musical about? 

Moulin Rouge! The Musical closely follows the film it’s based on, presenting the doomed love of two bohemians at Paris’s Moulin Rouge cabaret hall in 1900.

Our protagonist Christian is a poor but romantic writer who falls in love with Moulin Rouge dancer and courtesan, Satine. The life of a courtesan is restrained, however, and sadly Satine is promised to the villainous Duke of Monroth to help save the Moulin Rouge from financial ruin. 

Told through a series of epic performances, show-stopping songs, mesmerising sets and powerful dance numbers,  it is a show where you will laugh, cry, dance and sing your way through a story that is utmost about truth, beauty, freedom and love. 

Is Moulin Rouge! The Musical suitable for children? 

There is no minimum age limit for Moulin Rouge! The Musical, but it is recommended for children aged 12 and over. The show features adult themes as well as bright lights, loud noises, confetti cannons and pyrotechnics. 

Shows at the Regent Theatre are generally not recommended for children aged under two, and all children aged below 15 must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

 

Alinta Chidzey and Des Flanagan as Satine and Christian in the Melbourne production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Moulin Rouge! The Musical brings the tragic love story of Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film to the stage. Image: Michelle Grace Hunder

How long is Moulin Rouge! The Musical?

The show runs for two hours and 35 minutes, with a 20-minute interval, making it similar in length to shows like & Juliet and Mary Poppins. 

When is Moulin Rouge! The Musical playing in Melbourne?

Tickets for the encore season of Moulin Rouge! The Musical are available for performances from now until 4 February 2024. Matinee and evening shows are available.

Where is Moulin Rouge! The Musical showing in Melbourne?

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is showing at the Regent Theatre, located on Collins Street between Exhibition and Swanston streets in Melbourne, in heart of the city’s famed East End.

The production is showing at the same location as it did for its Australian debut in 2021, with the palatially-styled, heritage-listed theatre proving the perfect backdrop for the equally opulent musical.

 

Samantha Dodemaide as Nini during a dance scene in the Melbourne production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Most of the original Melbourne cast is returning, including Alinta Chidzey, Des Flanagan and Samantha Dodemaide. Image: Michelle Grace Hunder

Who is performing in the Melbourne cast of Moulin Rouge! The Musical?

Much of the cast from the original Melbourne production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical are reprising their roles for the encore season. That includes Alinta Chidzey (Chicago, West Side Story) and Des Flanagan (West Side Story for Handa Opera, The Beautiful Game) in the lead roles of Satine and Christian, as well as Simon Burke (Les Misérables, Chicago, Playschool) as the Moulin Rouge proprietor, Harold Zidler. 

Notable changes include James Bryers as the Duke of Monroth, Jarrod Draper as Toulouse-Lautrec and Chaska Halliday as La Chocolat. The cast for Moulin Rouge! The Musical in Melbourne is as follows:

  • Satine – Alinta Chidzey
  • Christian – Des Flanagan
  • Harold Zidler – Simon Burke
  • Duke of Monroth – James Bryers
  • Toulouse-Lautrec – Jarrod Draper
  • Santiago – Ryan Gonzalez
  • Nini – Samantha Dodemaide
  • Arabia – Olivia Vásquez
  • La Chocolat – Chaska Halliday
  • Babydoll – Christopher J Scalzo

How do I buy tickets to the Melbourne production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical?

Tickets for Moulin Rouge! The Musical are available through Ticketek, which is the only authorised ticket seller for the production.

Tickets can also be purchased directly from the nearby Princess Theatre box office (open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday as well as one hour before all performances) or by calling 1300 11 10 11. 

RACV Members get exclusive access to the best entertainment experiences at iconic Melbourne venues. Find out more here.

 

The foyer of the Regent Theatre in Melbourne

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is playing at the in Melbourne’s prestigious Regent Theatre. Image: Visit Victoria

Is there a dress code for Moulin Rouge! The Musical?

There is no formal dress code for the Regent Theatre, though most audience members come dressed in smart casual. 

How do I get to the Regent Theatre?

The Regent Theatre is easily accessible via public transport. It's a short four minute walk from Flinders Street Station, or via the 1, 16, 48, 59 and 86 trams.

Use the free journey planner app arevo for real-time information on public transport delays. If you need to hail a taxi, there are taxi bays right out the front of the Regent Theatre.

Where can I park at the Regent Theatre?

Street parking is limited, but there are nearby secure carparks. The closest is Wilson Parking at 161 Collins Street, 120 metres from the Regent Theatre. It's open 6am until midnight Sunday to Thursday, and from 6am to 2am Friday and Saturday.

Alternatively, you can use the arevo app to discover the cheapest parking near your location.

 

A bartender makes a cocktail at Melbourne bar, Nick & Nora's

There are plenty of locations for a post-theatre drink, such as Melbourne cocktail bar, Nick & Nora's. Image: Visit Victoria

What restaurants are near the Regent Theatre?

The Regent Theatre is close to many top Melbourne restaurants including Kisumé, Supernormal, Gimlet, NOMAD Melbourne and Coda. If you’re hungry before a show at any of Melbourne’s theatres, there’s a large range of venues catering to pre-theatre diners.

Another option is nearby Chinatown, one of Melbourne’s famous cultural dining hubs, which is just around the corner from the Regent Theatre.

For group bookings, Sojourn offers large share plates focused on local Victorian produce and is just a short walk from the Regent Theatre.

What bars are near the Regent Theatre?

Some of Melbourne's best cocktail bars are close by to the Regent Theatre, such as Eau de Vie, Bourke Street Green and Nick & Nora’s.

There are also plenty of breezy rooftop bars and intriguing hidden speakeasies around the CBD, plus drinks and light refreshments available from the foyer bar at the Regent Theatre.

 

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