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
Oasis are back…in surreal new Britpop comedy ‘The Battle’ at the Opera House Manchester
Clementine Hall
The greatest pop rivalry of all time has been turned into a quick-witted, razor-sharp comedy.
And do you know what? It’s a proper laugh.
Oasis vs Blur, north vs south… it really is a tale as old as time, and one that symbolised a divided nation back in 1995.
This new play, written by past record industry bod John Niven, explores the testosterone-fuelled tantrums that came after the decision to release Blur’s Country House singlealongside Oasis’ Roll With It.
Image: Supplied (Helen Murray)
We’re plunged into backstage Britpop bickering right at the very start at none other than the Brit Awards, which is quite apt for a Manchester audience who have just witnessed the city hosting the awards for the first time.
From the offset, Paddy Stafford and George Usher who played Noel and Liam Gallagher, proved themselves as standout performances.
The physical mannerisms, the vocal nuances, they both had it down to an absolute T and looked exceptional in parkas, might I add.
Images: Supplied (Helen Murray)
By portraying such icons, in Manchester no less, you’re opening yourself up to a lot of criticism but their performances, which could’ve been perceived as awkward impressions, were the highlight of the evening.
The first act explores the rivalry between the two bands in depth, featuring countless slinging matches that are peppered with quick-witted remarks and plenty of swearing.
The between-scenes animations by John O’Connor portray radio DJs stoking the hysteria with the latest gossip, which is a nice way to keep the audience in check with whats going on amidst the chaos.
Image: Supplied (Helen Murray)
But it’s in the second act when things start to get really, really weird – and equally as fun.
I’m not going to spoil it for you, because that’s the whole point.
But what I will say is if you’re going for an Oasis singalong then you’re not going to get it, but you may want to brush up on your Take That lyrics.
The Battle is on at the Opera House Manchester until Saturday 21 March and you can get your tickets here.
A new stage adaptation of a Virginia Woolf classic is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
With both World Book Day and International Women’s Day having only just passed, it feels like perfect timing for a UK tour of a new theatrical adaptation of one of the most important works of feminist writing ever to have just been announced: Mrs. Dalloway.
And, of course, it’s being brought to Manchester.
The legendary modernist novel by Virginia Woolf has already been adapted for stage and screen multiple times, but this most recent version has been hailed as “cinematic”, “immersive”, and striving to be just as ‘radical’ as the original masterpiece itself.
It’s one of the latest shows coming to Storyhouse in Chester for a world premiere, before heading out across the UK for just a select few special performances.
A co-production between said Storyhouse, as well as Harlow Playhouse and CutToTheChase Productions, it’s been co-created by award-winning director Jen Heyes, with help from Olivier Award-winning writer and performer, Kit Green.
Green takes up the role not only of the titular and long-studied character for this bold reimagining of Clarissa, but will also feature as husband Richard Dalloway, tragic supporting character Septimus Warren Smith, and others.
Bookworms and English literature students will likely have come across the name at least in passing, even if they haven’t read it for themselves, and it still remains just as striking now as it was when first published back in 1925.
Elsewhere referred to as The Hours in her diary entries, the text inspired a 2002 Hollywood movie using that ‘original’ working title starring Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep – all of whom play women whose story mirrors that tale and/or troubles of Virginia Woolf in some way.
Most famously, however, it was also turned into an eponymous British film in the late 90s, with Vanessa Redgrave as an older Mrs Dalloway and Natascha McElhone as her younger self.
Virginia WoolfThe first major version of Mrs Dalloway on film (1997)Green embodying one of many rolesCredit: Topfoto/NTB (via NDLA)
Both have little cult followings of their own, as you would expect from anything with the famous writer’s name attached to them, but theatre fans have every reason to be very excited about this next take.
Speaking ahead of the inaugural performance of the play, director Jen Heyes said in a statement, “I wanted audiences to step inside Woolf’s world and see it in a way they won’t expect.
“We’ve mixed theatre, film, and bold reinterpretations to create something alive, surprising, moving, and entertaining. My hope is that people leave the theatre carrying the story with them long after the lights go down.”
Following the Cheshire debut on Friday, 29 May, running until 6 June, the production will head to Harlow in Essex, and Wilton’s Music Hall in London, before landing at beloved local theatre, cinema and arts space, HOME, over on First Street this autumn.
The stage version of Mrs. Dalloway will be in Manchester from 24-26 September (Thurs-Sat); you can grab your tickets HERE. We’ve been spoiled by some VERY good new material of late…
Kristen MacGregor-Houlston -
22nd August 2025 
