SpectiCast and Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet are pleased to bring audiences the vibrant presentation of Moulin Rouge® – The Ballet to cinema screens for the very first time. Inspired by the most famous cabaret in history, the Moulin Rouge® has been the subject of many books, paintings, movies and musicals. Along with a rousing French soundtrack, the ballet features high-kicking choreography by Jorden Morris and a passionate story of love, ambition and heartbreak.
Turn of the century Paris finds a city of exquisite contradiction. Amidst a time where extreme poverty and hardship, a heady elixir of personal freedom thrives throughout the city, breeding lifestyles both reckless and addictive. Drawn to Paris, a flame fuelled by the hearts of lovers and the souls of poets, Matthew and Nathalie tempt fate as they seek love and destiny at the infamous cabaret – The Moulin Rouge®.
Sharing his insights about the conception of Moulin Rouge® – The Ballet, famed choreographer Jorden Morris explains, “the story came from the idea that I wanted to explore two young people of very different backgrounds thrown together in the cauldron of Paris at the time. I took inspiration from several sources, John Huston’s film, Jean Renoir’s film, Pierre la Mure’s book as well as the fashion, art and music of the era.”
An $11 million dollar budget went into creating this revue, which includes more than 1000 costumes, 800 pairs of custom made shoes, dozens of handmade settings, a giant aquarium, five pythons, six dwarf horses, and much more. All of this comes together to form a magic matrix which also brings luck to the artists that make up the troupe of 80 dancers of 14 different nationalities.
Moulin Rouge® – The Ballet is directed by brothers Pierre & Francois Lamoureux of Cinemusica, the duo behind Grammy Award-winning concert film Zappa Plays Zappa and Emmy Award-winning Harry Connick Jr., In Concert – On Broadway.