Sword Swallowers, Giant Elephants and 70 Songs: Moulin Rouge Hits Southampton in Spectacular Style
Before the curtain even rose, there were sword swallowers in the foyer — and that was just the warm-up for one of the most extravagant nights Southampton's Mayflower Theatre has ever seen.
# Moulin Rouge! The Musical Arrives at Southampton's Mayflower — and It Does Not Hold Back
Moulin Rouge! The Musical landed at Mayflower Theatre in Southampton on the night of 30 September 2026, and if press night is anything to go by, the South has been handed one of the most lavish theatrical productions to grace the region in years. Reviewer Charley Thompson was in the audience — and came away floored.
It Started Before You Even Got Through the Door
The glamour kicked in on the pavement outside. Themed bubbles floated through the air, and Moulin Rouge-inspired crêpes — crafted by @crepesalut — were being handed to arriving guests. Inside, every seat held a beautifully designed postcard created by artist Eve Leoni, a touch that set the tone for an evening where no detail was left unconsidered.
Then came the sword swallowers. Two of them, performing a pre-show spectacle in the theatre itself, before a single note had been sung or a curtain twitched. If that does not tell you exactly what kind of night you are in for, nothing will.
A Cast That Earns Every Spotlight
The production stars Verity Thompson as Satine and Nate Landskroner as Christian — and both deliver in spades. Thompson brought glamour and vulnerability to the role in equal measure, with vocals described as simply outstanding. Landskroner matched her with warmth and emotional depth, the pair generating a chemistry that carried the love story at the show's heart.
Cameron Blakely's Harold Zidler was wonderfully larger-than-life, commanding the stage with the kind of charisma that makes an audience forget to blink. The supporting cast — Kurt Kansley as Toulouse-Lautrec, James Bryers as The Duke, Rodrigo Negrini as Santiago and Kahlia Davis as Nini — alongside a hugely talented ensemble, kept the energy at full throttle throughout.
The ensemble, in particular, deserves enormous credit. Acting, dancing and vocals were consistently superb, with every number charged with the kind of electricity that reminds you why live theatre exists.
More Than 70 Songs, Woven Together With Skill
The musical's famous mash-up format crams over 70 songs into a single production, blending classics from the original film with tracks from more recent artists. Highlights on the night included Lady Marmalade, Your Song, Roxanne, Elephant Love Medley, Come What May and Firework — but those are just the surface.
The way the songs are stitched together is clever, energetic and often genuinely surprising. Big ensemble numbers shook the rafters; quieter moments landed with real emotional weight. It is a soundtrack that spans generations, and somehow it all holds together.
A Visual Feast That Never Lets Up
If the performances are extraordinary, the visuals are something else entirely. The giant elephant — a centrepiece of the set — is genuinely jaw-dropping, while the iconic windmill transports the audience straight into the world of the Moulin Rouge from the moment it appears. Set design, lighting and staging work in concert to produce one stunning image after another.
The costumes are spectacular: glamorous, extravagant, colourful, and clearly the result of painstaking attention to detail. Elaborate wigs, dazzling make-up, sparkling outfits — there is so much happening on stage at any given moment that a single viewing may not be enough to take it all in.
Nothing about this production feels small. That, ultimately, is the point.
What Happens Next
With press night earning a glowing reception, Moulin Rouge! The Musical continues its run at Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. If you are within travelling distance — and Cowplain is very much within travelling distance — this is one worth booking before the word spreads and the seats disappear.
Source: Live Review: Moulin Rouge! The Musical at Mayflower Theatre