I went to see Moulin Rouge! Il Musical at the Sistina Chapiteau in Rome on 1 February 2026 with my dear friend Donatella, and let me tell you, it was pure, unadulterated magic from start to finish. Goosebumps. Hair-on-end. The kind of night where you can’t stop smiling, singing along (yes, we were those people), and feeling completely transported.
First of all, the venue itself is a spectacle: a circus-like Chapiteau, lights twinkling above like a Parisian starry sky, and not just one, but three stages – including one dedicated solely to the orchestra and actors. It’s immersive theatre at its very finest. You are in the Moulin Rouge, not just watching it.
For those wondering about the language barrier – fear not. While the show is in Italian, most of the iconic pop hits remain in English, and with the English sur-titles above the stage, you never feel lost. In fact, the mix of languages adds a playful rhythm to the performance. My Italian may not be perfect, but by the end, I felt like I was speaking the language of love, bohemia, and glittering cabaret.
The production, masterminded by Massimo Romeo Piparo, is a feast for the senses. Velvet reds, sparkling feathers, sequins, and corsets aplenty set the scene for Paris at the height of the Belle Époque. And the choreography? Jaw-dropping. Every number – from the Can Can to the tango of Roxanne – is so meticulously crafted you forget it’s a stage and not Montmartre itself.
The music is everything you hope for in a musical that has won 10 Tony Awards. Live orchestra? Check. Heart-stopping renditions of Lady Gaga, Elton John, Queen, Madonna, David Bowie and more? Absolutely. There’s a pulse to this show that makes you want to dance in your seat – or, okay, sing at the top of your lungs with your friend.
And the cast – wow. Serena Autieri is radiant as Satine, her voice soaring with emotion and charisma. Luca Gaudiano as Christian gives you all the swoons you could ever hope for, while the villainous Duke of Monroth, Mattia Braghero, is deliciously wicked (and yes, I got to meet him after the show thanks to a little family connection – what a gentleman and utterly charming in person). The chemistry between Satine and Christian feels authentic and intense, giving the narrative heart beyond all the glitter and spectacle.
The show perfectly balances the glamour and drama of the Moulin Rouge with moments of genuine tenderness. It’s loud, bold, and theatrical, but also profoundly moving when it needs to be. From the heartbreak of Satine’s secret illness to the playful hijinks of Toulouse-Lautrec and Santiago, every scene draws you in. Even if your Italian is rusty, the emotion is universal. You feel it all.
By the final bows, with the entire cast lighting up the stage, I was grinning from ear to ear. It’s rare to find a musical that’s both wildly entertaining and emotionally resonant, and this one hits every mark.
Would I go again? Absolutely. In fact, I’m already plotting my next Roman adventure back to the Chapiteau to see it all over again, probably with my hair standing on end just as much as the first time. Moulin Rouge! Il Musical isn’t just a show – it’s a night out that reminds you why we fall in love with theatre in the first place.
When: Still on until 1 March 2026
Where: Sistina Le Chapiteau
VIALE DI TOR DI QUINTO, 98
Tickets available from: https://moulinrougeilmusical.it
Little warning! Parking on site costs 9 euros per vehicle!
Website:
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
