The entertainment group Global Creatures, the co-producers of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, has confirmed it will bring Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! to the stage. Another hit production from Luhrmann, Moulin Rouge! tells the story of a young poet and writer, named Christian, who falls in love with the star of the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret show, the actress and courtesan Satine. The story uses the musical setting of the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, France.
The new production will have a book by John Logan (Tony Award-winner for Red), and will be directed by Alex Timbers (Rocky, Here Lies Love). The show is currently in development and a venue and dates are yet to be announced, however it looks as though the show is already highly anticipated. Luhrmann is a talented storyteller, with a number of iconic titles under his belt. Luhrmann’s 2001 film of the story, starring Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for eight Oscars at the 74th Academy Awards, winning two.
Following in the footsteps of McGregor and Kidman, the performers set to take on the leading roles of the production look as though they have big shoes to fill. There is no word yet on whether the new production will also adopt the film’s musical score and songs, which were adapted popular hits for the big screen. The film was a success as a result, and this approach has been similarly emulated by films such as Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. It is clearly a formula that works, and audiences may even see this production on stage in the not too distant future.