If you’re wandering down Oxford Road this week and take a wrong turn, then you may find yourself in early 20th century Paris.
Moulin Rouge is a sultry, sexy extravaganza of lust, sin, and debauchery that you just can’t get enough of, so it’s time to lose yourself in the magic and showmanship of the Parisian clubs of yesteryear, as whether you’re a big fan of the hit 2001 movie, or new to the world of Moulin Rouge, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that you will be blown away.
This is possibly the best show I’ve ever seen on stage.
There’s an excited buzz in the air as everyone pours into the Palace Theatre. The theatre is conveniently Moulin Rouge red by default, so you already feel like you’ve been transported before you’ve even got to your seat.
As you approach your seat, you’re met with the spectacle that is the sensational staging. On one side of the room, you have the infamous Moulin Rouge windmill, and the other side has the giant elephant head where our diamond Satine resides.
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The time has come, Bohemians of Manchester! 🎉
Tickets are officially ON SALE for Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Palace Theatre from Wed 20 August – Sat 4 October 2025 ❣️
The show begins with the iconic Lady Marmalade song and the excitement that spreads through the audience is almost palpable. Each song and performance gets stronger, more exciting, more uplifting, carried by our club host – the fantastic and hilarious Harold Zidler (Cameron Blakely).
As fans of the movie, my guest and I were initially surprised by the medleys of modern songs that spanned the duration of the show, but they fit the storyline so well that by the end we were hooked. The original score was still present, just with the modern additions woven in seamlessly.
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For those who don’t know, the show follows young Christian, played by Josh Rose, who tells his story of moving to Paris to pursue his dream of becoming a songwriter. Upon arrival, he meets Toulouse (Kurt Kansley) and Santiago (Rodrigo Negrini), struggling artists in the bohemian Montmartre. Impressed with his love songs, they convince him to seduce the sensational Satine (Verity Thompson) in an effort to get their show on the Moulin Rouge stage.
Moulin Rogue The Musical has arrived at Manchester Palace Theatre / Credit: Matt Crockett (Supplied)
The club however is struggling, and Harold has tasked Satine to seduce The Duke (James Bryers) to help secure funding to ensure the club’s future. Satine and Christian meet first and immediately fall in love, causing heartache and tragedy throughout the course of the show.
Every single cast member is spectacular from start to finish.
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The performances and dance numbers are works of art and get the whole audience going. The excitement and passion from the cast shines throughout, and it’s clear they’re enjoying the show as much as we are.
The jaw-dropping production is on stage in Manchester until 4 October / Credit: Matt Crockett (Supplied)
The singing is mind-bogglingly good, with everyone hitting every note without question. It would be remiss of me to not give an extra special shout out to Verity Thompson, whose singing was absolutely jaw dropping. If I could sing like her, you’d literally never shut me up.
It isn’t often you see something and think, everyone has to see this, but this show is definitely one of those. If their gift is their song, then I would be happy to accept it over and over again.
Moulin Rouge is playing at Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday 4 October, and you can find out more and get your tickets here.
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You do not want to miss this – seriously.
Featured Image – Johan Persson (Supplied)
Theatre
New stage adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House to arrive in Manchester this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
A brand-new stage adaptation of a bestselling horror novel and TV series is coming to Manchester this Halloween.
Following the critically acclaimed Netflix hit series that introduced a new generation to the eerie masterpiece, author Shirley Jackson’s famous The Haunting of Hill House is being turned into a brand-new stage adaptation later this year, and will be taking to one of Manchester’s most iconic stages at the spookiest season of all.
Written by Olivier and BAFTA award-winner Stef Smith, and directed by Martin Constantine, the new production is set to conjure the iconic supernatural thriller on stage.
It will be making its world premiere with a UK tour this autumn, stopping off in several major towns and cities along the way.
If you’re unfamiliar with the story, The Haunting of Hill House follows a group of daring investigators who take on the mystery of Hill House, before their curiosity quickly descends into fear.
A new stage adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House is coming to Manchester this Halloween / Credit: Supplied
“The Haunting of Hill House is one of the greatest supernatural novels of the last hundred years and to have the chance to adapt it for the stage is a true privilege,” explained writer Stef Smith, as the UK tour was announced this week.
“I find Shirley Jackson’s world intoxicating, thrilling and gut-wrenching.
“I believe there is something so deeply theatrical at the heart of Hill House. From the spooky, to the surreal, through heartache and hope. I hope that our cast of characters will take the audience along for a ride quite unlike anything else. Above all we will examine that the biggest horrors are usually human.”
The brand-new stage adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House will arrive in Manchester and take to the stage at Manchester Palace Theatre from Tuesday 27 October right through to Halloween itself (Saturday 31 October 2026).
The full cast and creative team for the new production is set to be announced shortly, so keep your eyes peeled.
Tickets go on pre-sale tomorrow at 10am, before general sale begins on Friday (20 February), again at 10am, and you book your place here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Theatre
Multi award-winning musical Back to the Future returns to Manchester next summer
Emily Sergeant
Nearly six years after making its world premiere here in Manchester, Back to The Future The Musical is returning to our city next summer.
The multi award-winning musical – based off the beloved 1985 film of the same name – held its world premiere at the Manchester Opera House back 2020, but unfortunately, as you can probably guess, its run was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now, flash forward to 2027, the production is returning to ‘settle some unfinished business’.
Lead producer Colin Ingram, together with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, the creators of the Back To The Future film trilogy, have announced that the musical will return to Manchester as part of its first-ever UK tour.
Directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando, alongside a multi Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team, Back to the Future The Musical has a book by Bob Gale, and new music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard.
Multi award-winning musical Back to the Future is returning to Manchester / Credit: Supplied
Additional hit songs from the film, including ‘The Power of Love’ and ‘Johnny B. Goode’, are also included in the production, making it a real trip down memory lane for fans.
The show will run at Manchester Opera House from 13 July through to 21 August 2027, following its run in the West End at the Adelphi Theatre, where it’s currently in its fifth year, having broken box office records and being seen by more than 2.3 million people.
“Speaking for the entire creative team, we are beyond thrilled to be returning to the Manchester Opera House, which we consider the birthplace of Back to the Future The Musical and one of the UK’s best venues,” commented co-creator Bob Gale.
“No city has ever given us a better reception and the incredible audience response we received in 2020 helped shape the show creatively in myriad ways.”
Back to the Future The Musical will take to the Manchester Opera House stage from 13 July – 21 August 2027, and tickets officially go on general sale tomorrow (18 February) at 10am.
Kristen MacGregor-Houlston -
22nd August 2025 
