Review: Moulin Rouge! at the Palace Theatre

Dazzled in Manchester: Moulin Rouge! Is the Glitter Bomb We All Need

There was Love, Sequins, and a Wink.  A review by Phil Roberts.

Press night at the Palace Theatre, Manchester — and glitter isn’t the only thing hitting the ceiling.

After fighting my way down the M56, I wasn’t expecting a show so powerful it could smother you in rhinestones and create enough dance moves to power the tram link at Altrincham Interchange.

But that’s what happened.

I dare you not to fall in love.

Moulin Rouge! at the Palace Theatre has landed and it’s brought enough heart, sass, and high-voltage spectacle to light up even the most stubborn Cheshire soul.

Yes, there were celebs in the audience. I was sitting right next to them.

But honestly? No one noticed.

All eyes were glued to Satine (Verity Thompson: a vision in feathers, heartbreak, and fearless vocals).

The way she glides down to meet Christian (Josh Rose — earnest poetry, killer cheekbones, and hair I’d die for) — you forget you’re on Oxford Road.

Suddenly, it’s Paris 1899: a place where art, love, and heartbreak share the stage with Material Girl, Sound of Music, and Lady Marmalade.

You get the idea.

About that spectacle: the set doesn’t so much “wow” as slap you joyfully around the face with sequins.

Scene changes are so slick I half-expected the crew to take a bow.

Lighting dazzles; costumes pop; and let’s be honest, there’s enough theatrical sass to melt even the grumpiest radio presenter.

But beneath the razzle is real emotion.

This isn’t just a singalong musical (the sort we get a bit too often, don’t we?). This is theatre at its best: drama, joy, and performances that outshine even the set.

The moments between Satine and Christian?

Tender, raw, spine-tingling. Watching them duet made it genuinely hard to blink away something in my eye (OK, I nearly blubbed).

A packed Thursday crowd laughed, roared, and beamed — you could almost feel us hugging the stage in the final act. We were there. We lived it.

Special mention to Cameron Blakely’s Zidler, a ringleader who could charm even the lady in front of me who initially thought it was a bit camp.

She left a different person — I asked if she enjoyed it and she winked, saying it cheered her up no end. That’s what this show does: it’s a tonic.

A jukebox with dramatic style that everyone needs.

The medleys are a pop playground: just when you think they can’t possibly squeeze in another tune, in comes another mash-up that makes you want to shake your booty, sequins or not.

So is Moulin Rouge! at the Palace Theatre worth the hype? Darling, it’s worth your best shoes and your last tube of mascara. And yes sir, I’m talking to you!

It’s a love letter to music, theatre, and that glorious, foolish messiness that is being you — even on a bad day.
Get a ticket.

This is hands-down the best show I’ve seen in ages

And it’s not just down to the tunes; it’s the acting, the performances, the magic of that stage.

They all should be proud. You might even leave a different person. I did.

“Sensational” is a word we overuse in theatre reviews — but not for this performance. I just loved it.

• Moulin Rouge! Playing at the Palace Theatre Manchester until 4th October 2025
• Tickets available from ATG Tickets