Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Francesca Connolly, Myles Harper, Mathilde Caeyers, George Cartwright, Eirik Dreyer, Sellevoll, Synne Eriksen, Emily Fox, Jasmine Gough, Ada Holden, Phoebe Hudson.

The musical Rouge, based on the Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor film Moulin Rouge, began intensely, erratic and emotionally charged and which was maintained throughout the show that made the hour it was on for seem fast-paced and full of rapid delivery. From the beginning it was touching seeing the huge effort both physically and mentally the second year dance students of L.I.P.A. put into the production and with the overall result being that it was amazing!

The range of dancing styles included in the musical stemmed from ballet, which was beautiful and graceful, to Bollywood which the audience found very entertaining. The orchestra coupled with the vocals were equally as excellent as the dancing, which gave the lead dancers especially Francesca Connolly, the impetuous to dare to be as marvellous as possible.

The narration of the piece was well presented, the show being split into sections like chapters of a book which was interesting as it reflected Christian the male lead character’s profession as a writer.

Perhaps not enough attention in theatre goes to the wardrobe department but the costumes that were produced for this particular performance were suitably extravagant and quite overwhelming making the audience gasp and exclaim ‘Gosh’ and ‘Wow’ several times over during the hour.

Rouge deservedly got a standing ovation at the Saturday matinee from an appreciative audience and several members of the crowd commented afterwards it was amazing and faultless.

The cast, crew and staff at L.I.P.A. deserve full marks and congratulations to for delivering such a great and memorable show.

Sharon Riley