Right off the bat, I’m going to disclose this important fact: Moulin Rouge, the 2001 film by Baz Luhrmann, and starring among some of the very best in the biz, Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, Richard Roxburgh, and a cameo by our lord and saviour Kylie Minogue is my favourite film of all time. Bar none.

So when one of my favourite venues is hosting a show presented by a couple of my favourite producers, featuring a stack of my favourite performers, I bought tickets really fast.

Then I panicked. What if I don’t love Cinematic Sinners presents Moulin Rouge? What if it doesn’t do justice to the greatest movie that ever graced the screens? It was only a minor moment of doubt, because I know those producers and performers well. They wouldn’t break my heart like that. But there was still a tiny voice that reminded me this was my favourite film of all time. Bar none.

Well, here’s a spoiler: I loved it. I loved it hard. I loved it so much that I begged to review it, despite having punter tickets and not reviewer tickets. I needed to shout from the rooftops that this show didn’t just do the film justice… it made it even better! A feat I thought was impossible. I was wrong. So very wrong.

‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.‘ It’s the iconic catch cry of Moulin Rouge, and Cinematic Sinners embraced that sentiment and then some, by making us feel all of our feelings and giving us a show with all the excess, spectacle and theatrical abandon the film commands.

Rather than attempting to recreate Baz Luhrmann’s masterpiece, this shadowcast production celebrated it, playing the film on the big screen while a cast of gorgeous burlesque dancers, drag performers, aerialists and fire artists brought key moments to life on stage, creating an immersive experience that was the perfect balance between cinema, cabaret and interactive theatre.

Curated by Ember Rose and Letitia Stitch, the production understood exactly what makes Moulin Rouge the best film of all time, bar none, and the cast captured each moment perfectly.

The opening ensemble number, Nature Boy, introduced us to our cast with infectious energy, transporting us into the bohemian world of Paris, which wasn’t that much of a stretch of the imagination thanks to the glamourous Nineteen Ten rooftop burlesque venue.

I’m a huge fan of Roxie Bourdeaux, and also Kylie Minogue, and also Absinthe. So Roxie’s Green Fairy act was one of the many highlights of this show. Roxie is ridiculously talented with a magnetic stage presence that dares you not to fall in love with her.

Lyra La Belle embodied Satine’s glamour, but added her own signature slick, sultry sass during Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. She radiates classic Hollywood elegance, but serves it hotter than hot. I think that’s what I really loved about Cinematic Sinners presents Moulin Rouge. No one tried to be the actors on the screen. Instead, they complemented the characters and narrative, bringing their own flavour and flair to the piece.

The stunning Serafina Sinclair delivered a gentle and beautiful moment with Your Song. There is just something about Serafina. Honestly, she could dance to ‘Baby Shark’ wearing a tarpaulin and it would still be the sexiest, most enchanting and beautiful thing you’ve ever seen.

Ember Rose injected infectious theatricality into Spectacular Spectacular. Which is not surprising considering she’s one of the most exciting performers in the country. Ember takes any routine to the next level and then several levels above that.

Next, we were treated to the vocal prowess of Ava-Rose with One Day I’ll Fly Away, blending vulnerability with grace.

Roxanne Rouge and Fiva Scarlett shared some smoking hot chemistry and genuinely sentimental moments during the Elephant Love Medley. They were a perfect duo. You could hear the collective gasp as everyone in the room fell madly in love with them, each other and the themed, artisan cocktails by Nineteen Ten.

Comic relief arrived right on cue with Pip Stachio’s and Dorian Courtisan’s hilarious Like a Virgin. This was the very definition of ‘perfect tribute’. It was inspired. Funny, adorable, tightly choreographed… Absolutely flawless.

As always, Icarus reminded us of the love story at the centre of the film with Come What May. Through beautiful fire, movement and aerial, Icarus showed us truth, beauty, freedom, and above all, love.

It is at this point that I will reveal my only criticism of the production, and my criticism was for the audience. I know every line and every song in that film. So did the gorgeous woman sitting next to me. We clearly wanted to go the full singalong-quote-every-lyric-and-line but no one else did, and we got the occasional side-eye when we – blubbering through tears of joy and sadness – recited dialogue and sang the songs. Yes, we were both sufficiently refreshed with white wine. Yes, we were probably quite audible. Yes, we might have been a little overzealous. But we were celebrating a film we were both very obviously obsessed with and we probably would have liked a little back up from the rest of the packed house at Nineteen Ten. At least we had each other. (Big shout out to my singalong friend, whoever you are.)

A highlight of the film and a highlight of the night was, of course, El Tango de Roxanne. And there’s no better performer to bring the house down than Letitia Stitch. Breathtaking, exciting, exhilarating, sexy as hell. Letitia always combines technical precision with raw talent and a stage presence that is unparalleled. El Tango de Roxanne is about obsession and, yep, I’m obsessed.

A favourite on any stage is the beautiful Lizzy Baker, who gave us a hauntingly beautiful interpretation of Hindi Sad Diamonds, providing a fitting lead-in to the production’s finale.

Throughout the evening, cameo appearances, surprise moments and clever interactions kept momentum going. The venue had a gorgeously chaotic energy, not unlike the Moulin Rouge. There was noise, joy, rapture and celebration everywhere you looked.

I love shows were there is merch for sale, and I love me a raffle. And while I didn’t win the raffle despite buying a stupid amount of tickets, I did go home with a souvenir. I purchased a gorgeous Green Fairy keychain handmade by event sponsor Maid of Madness, which keeps making me happily remember the excellent time I had at the show every time I look at it.

Cinematic Sinners has found a format that brings an unmatched energy to a show. Getting to see your favourite movies in full while surrounded by fellow film fans and being entertained by performers at the top of their game… that’s the ultimate immersive experience.

Cinematic Sinners presents Moulin Rouge gave me more than a tribute to one of cinema’s most spectacular musicals. It gifted me a whole body and soul feeling of joy and celebration. One that I have been feeling since I experienced it and one I am certain I will be feeling for a long time to come. Well, at least until their next show for which I will buy my tickets. Fast.

Rating: a million stars

★★★★★

Reviewed by Libby Trainor Parker