The huge show will run at one of the city’s most historic theatres until August
Empire theatre director Diane Belding(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
A “spectacular” stage show has arrived in Liverpool and thousands of tickets have already been sold. Moulin Rouge! The Musical will run at Liverpool Empire Theatre until Saturday, August 8, marking one of the theatre’s longest runs. The show brings Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film of the same name to life on stage, featuring more than 70 songs and music from Offenbach to Lady Gaga.
Set in Paris in 1899, in a world of bohemians and aristocrats, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the story of a lovesick American writer, Christian, and Satine, the beautiful star of the Moulin Rouge nightclub.
When their lives collide at the Moulin Rouge, they fall in love, only to be thwarted by the nightclub’s host and impresario, Harold Zidler, and The Duke of Monroth, the wealthy and entitled patron of the club who thinks he can buy anything he wants, including Satine.
The musical is the winner of 10 2021 Tony Awards including Best Musical, an Olivier Award, two Drama League Awards including Outstanding Production of a Musical, five Drama Desk Awards and 10 Outer Critics Circle Award Honor citations including New Broadway Musical.
Behind the scene of Moulin Rouge at the Empire(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Kurt Kansley, who stars as artist Toulouse-Lautrec, has performed in the city on two other separate tours. He told the ECHO that it is “the people” who make performances in Liverpool so special.
He said: “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.”
Kurt Kansley stars as Toulouse-Lautrec(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
The arrival in Liverpool is special for many reasons, but for local born actor Scott Sutcliffe, who performs as Baby Doll, it is a stand out moment professionally. The actor, who attended Rainhill High School, was encouraged by his teachers to pursue a career in performing arts. Now, he is embarking on a world tour of the show.
Scott 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.”
Scott Sutcliffe, who plays Baby Doll(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
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. I’m so happy to be here and sharing it with all of my friends.”
The show’s arrival is also special for theatre director Diane Belding and the Empire team, who are half way through another busy year.
Assistant stage manager Andrew Swarbrigg behind the scenes(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Diane 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.
“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.”
The ECHO last spoke to Diane in December last year, when the Empire had 2026 already “full”.
She added: “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.”