Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin walk red carpet at opening night of Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Brisbane’s Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) came alive with the VIP-studded opening night of Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Saturday night.

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Hollywood heavyweights Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin have walked the red carpet in Brisbane for the official opening night of Moulin Rouge! The Musical in Brisbane.

Luhrmann, who directed the original movie, joined a string of local identities, including Sam and Rachael Thaiday, Jaguar Jonze and Cody Simpson and Emma McKeon.

Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin in Brisbane for opening night. Picture: David Clark

This event marked Luhrmann’s first viewing of the Australian stage production.

He recalled his early directing career at QPAC during Expo 88, and his connection with Simon Burke, who plays Zidler in the musical.

“I came here with my first little theatre company to a thing called Expo 88, and I bought a little play that we just devised, it was called Strictly Ballroom and we did it in this theatre,” he said.

Gallery: Big line-up for Rouge carpet

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“Then Simon Burke and I we were in a play and guess what it was about? It was about an Australian family who are obsessed with Elvis Presley, and so that’s how far back we go, and the idea that he’s now playing Zidler is incredible.”

Matt DiCarlo, the US director of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, said it was an honour to see the show in Brisbane alongside Luhrmann.

“He is the most incredible and inspiring human and it’s really exciting to have him here to see this brilliant company,” he said.

The production’s Brisbane season continues until July 27, but tickets are selling fast. The show will then return to Melbourne for a second season after its Victorian debut was hit by Covid.