Musical "Moulin Rouge!" celebrates its success
"Truth, beauty, freedom, love" - what else is needed? Under the banner of these four terms, the musical "Moulin Rouge!" has been dancing a roaring cancan with Cologne for a year now. On Saturday, this anniversary was duly celebrated with invited guests, celebrities and fans in the shadow of the cathedral.
Because there is no question that there is something to celebrate: since the show had its German premiere on November 6, 2022, it has had the best start for a musical on the German market in 20 years. And not without reason: as ntv.de wrote after the premiere, "Moulin Rouge!" is a "feast for the senses", a "celebration of diversity" and a great "homage to pop culture" - and therefore absolutely worth seeing.
The musical, which is based on the hit film "Moulin Rouge" (without the exclamation mark) by director Baz Luhrmann from 2001, takes the audience back to the beginning of the last century. And not just during the show. The journey through time begins as soon as you enter the lavishly decorated "Musical Dome". In the "Moulin Rouge", the world-famous Parisian den of iniquity, bohemians meet courtesans, flowing petticoats meet wicked vices. And in the midst of all the frivolous hustle and bustle, everything naturally revolves around a heartbreaking love story.
"Escape from everyday life in the best sense"
"I think this show simply brings together a lot of things that people are longing for right now," says Musical Dome Managing Director Henning Pillekamp, explaining its success. The show is "an escape from everyday life in the best sense of the word", like "a hip party" where everyone is welcome. "But at its core, it is also about faith in the one great love that endures against all obstacles and through all times. We can certainly all use some of this confidence right now," says Pillekamp.
More than 400 performances of "Moulin Rouge!" have already been staged in Cologne. And this is by no means the end of the story, as on average more than 90 percent of the seats in the auditorium are taken. There are currently no plans to limit the running time. Tickets are already being sold for shows until the end of June 2024.
It is not only the 380 people who work on the musical on, in front of and behind the stage, but also those who have missed the show so far, that we hope it continues for as long as possible. And Cologne, of course. Thanks to "Moulin Rouge!", the city is even more worth a visit.
The city of Cologne offers more than just its famous cathedral, as it's currently home to the high-energy musical "Moulin Rouge!", celebrated for its successful run. Boasting a diverse ensemble and paying homage to pop culture, the show offers an entertaining escape from everyday life for music lovers, making Cologne an even more attractive destination for visitors.
Source: www.ntv.de
