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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
You do not want to miss this – seriously.
Featured Image – Johan Persson (Supplied)
Theatre
Beloved local actor David Threlfall is returning to Manchester theatre after nearly three decades as King Lear
Danny Jones
Much-loved local actor and director David Threlfall is set to return to the Manchester theatre circuit after nearly three whole decades as he prepares to play King Lear at the Royal Exchange.
That’s right: Frank Gallagher himself is about to be one of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters in one of his most legendary plays.
Returning to the very same stage on which his career first began budding after 27 years since last treading the boards, the Shameless, Nowhere Boy and Hot Fuzz star will be donning the titular role in arguably the greatest tragedy of all time at the Manchester city centre theatre this coming autumn.
First announced last month, we’ve finally learned more about this significant comeback and can barely contain our excitement.
The seasoned thespian who is best known for playing UK TV’s well-known and perpetually drunk Northern dad, not to mention embodying fellow British performer Tommy Cooper, has plenty of roots in playhouses, but it’s fair to say he’s been gone from Greater Manchester for a hot minute.
Set to lead the cast in the new adaptation, directed by Matthew Dunster – himself a local Lancashire lad schooled in Chadderton – this feels like a proper homegrown production.
For anyone who’s never really experienced the historic tale by ‘Old Bill, the Bard of Avon’, to put it in the Royal Exchange’s words, it “charts a kingdom where power corrupts, families become enemies and prosperity devolves into war.
“At its centre is the mind of a man who can no longer understand what it means to be human. Lear is a searing portrait of a king unable to distinguish truth from lies. As the storm rises and night falls, language, identity and meaning break down completely.”
To be fair, you could argue there are some similarities between him and the Gallagher patriarch; he’ll also be in the middle of this run when he turns 73 – meaning it’ll be even longer since he last played the Royal Exchange Theatre (RET) in his mid-40s.
As for this version by Dunster – who himself is returning to the RET once again also (for his sixth different stint, no less) his talented cast includes the likes of Isobel Akuwudike, Ed Coleman, Lisa Diveney, Rupert Hill, Johnathan Slinger and more.
It’s also worth noting that Threlfall has featured in a Lear retelling in the past.
Way back in 1983, he played Edgar in the small-screen movie made right here in 0161 by Granada Television, where he acted alongside HUGE names such as John Hurt, Diana Rigg, Robert Lindsay, as well as the late, great TV, movie and all-around acting star, Laurence Olivier.
Born in Crumpsall, raised in Burnage, and made at the REC and various other theatres across the country, this feels like a momentous homecoming for the ever-familiar Manc face.
With shows booked from Friday, 2 October until Sunday, 15 November, and tickets priced at just £12 for standard seats, you can secure yours right HERE. It’s also worth noting that this isn’t the only Shakespearean adaptation coming to the region later this year, either…
Featured Images — Channel 4/The Manc Group/Publicity picture via Royal Exchange Theatre)
Theatre
Huge sale on Manchester theatre tickets launches, with shows from £11.70
Daisy Jackson
Theatre ticket prices have been slashed in a huge flash sale in Manchester, with big discounts on some of the world’s most famous shows.
Fans will be able to see iconic musicals, plays, and ballets from as little as £11.70, thanks to the ATG Tickets Summer Saver sale.
The theatre ticket platform’s sale has seen tickets reduced by up to 25% for productions performing at both the Palace Theatre and the Opera House Manchester.
Shows taking part in this year’s summer sale include Matilda The Musical, Annie, Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella, Back to the Future The Musical, and even Magic Mike Live.
Theatre shows included in the flash sale in Manchester include smash-hit musical Jersey Boys, which returns to Palace Theatre this September.
ATG Tickets has lowered prices for the musical, which features the greatest hits of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, to as low as £11.70.
Tickets for Jersey Boys range from £12.08 to £54.45 in the flash sale, with excellent availability at the time of writing.
Also included in the Manchester sale is Trainspotting the Musical, where tickets are as low as £14.99.
30 years on from the film that changed everything, and following its successful world premiere run in London’s West End, Trainspotting The Musical performs at the Palace Theatre this November.
Burlesque The Musical is included in the theatre tickets saleBack to the Future The Musical in Manchester also has tickets on sale
Next up for Manchester is Burlesque The Musical, which returns to the city for a run of shows at Opera House Manchester next January.
Tickets for Burlesque The Musical, a powerhouse show with songs by Christina Aguilera, Sia and Diane Warren, are priced from just £11.70 in the ATG Summer Saver.
And finally, Back To The Future The Musical returns to Manchester in Summer 2027, with a good handful of tickets now available from just £14.89.
The multi award-winning musical – based off the beloved 1985 film of the same name – had its world premiere in Manchester back in 2020 but the run was cut short by Covid. Now it’s heading back out on a UK tour.
You can see all the theatre shows included in the ATG Summer Saver tickets sale HERE.
Kristen MacGregor-Houlston -
22nd August 2025 
