Review: Moulin Rouge! Musikaali
Moulin Rouge!
The Moulin Rouge! musical is a hit at the Helsinki City Theatre. This stage adaptation does not attempt to imitate Baz Luhrmann’s visually abundant film classic, but stands firmly on its own two feet, creating a breathtaking world of its own. The play is like a rock concert, where volume and intensity blow up the ceiling – forget the little musicals, this is something much bigger.
Behind the set design is the internationally award-winning designer takis, who has managed to build a milieu on the stage that leaves room for the viewer’s imagination. The Moulin Rouge comes to life, but does not support the viewer’s mind with an exuberant visual fullness, but creates space for one’s own interpretation. This approach feels fresh and bold, highlighting the power of theatre to bring new dimensions to life.
Music is, of course, one of the driving forces of the performance, and in this production, the songs sound surprisingly well. Despite the suspicions, modern pop classics do not turn into clumsy hits on the Finnish stage. On the contrary, the mixture of Finnish and English works seamlessly, and the choir arrangements are so powerful that they take the viewer directly to the pulse of a depraved nightclub. This is not just about the background music, but each song is a carefully considered part of the story and atmosphere.
The acting performances are staggering throughout, but Martti Manninen and Joel Mäkinen in particular stand out as multifaceted and strong. Manninen brings sensitivity and depth to the role of Christian, while Mäkinen’s Duke of Monroth is a menacingly charismatic, tormenting counterforce in the middle of the love story. Risto Kaskilahti Harold Zidler is a character who could easily remain a caricature, but Kaskilahti brings this nightclub owner to life in a way that brings out both his humour and his tragicness.
Jennie Storbackan Satine is delicate, but still powerful. She manages to find new layers in the role that make her more than just an object of love – in this interpretation, Satine is a woman who plays on her own terms, but who is also vulnerable and determined.
The choreography is in a class of its own. The movement created by Jennie Widegren, Anja Gaardbo, Kirsty McDonald and Zain Odelstål is amazing, full of energy and skill, but it never feels overwhelming. The dance supports the story and the atmosphere, deepens them, and keeps the viewer firmly in its grip.
The end result is a musical that sucks you in and leaves your heart beating long after the performance has ended. Moulin Rouge! Helsinki City Theatre is a feast for all the senses – it is a visual, auditory and emotional firework display that shows that this story is not only a film classic, but has found a new and vibrant form on the theatre stage.
Review in the Man Made Lifestyle blog.