The musical is set in a nightclub at Paris during the Bohemian Revolution, the period of ideas and inspiration. Shades of brown and black are used while writer Christian explores empty streets of his previous home, London, but colors fly as he reaches Paris. The nightclub in particular overwhelms viewers with color, dance and song, all blended in; the camera spinning and spinning to create the flurry of movement. This creates a good representation of how a Bohemian place like Paris would be to Christian, who was initially withheld in conformist London. Flurry and movement is also created to show the excitement of a nightclub- ladies twirling in peacock frills, courtesans skipping in tiny corsets and dancers shaking their stuff whilst the music grows louder and louder, and the colors grow from rainbow to intense red, orange, green. Lighting is an important aspect in musicals, showing audience the change of drama- the love scenes, the horny scenes and the unhappy ones. Blue lighting is also shown when Satine dies, but it is a darker blackish blue, and images are slightly blurred to convey grief to the audience.
At the height of happiness, Satine meets Christian, and experiences change of emotional state- from ignorance, to learning to love. As her emotions change, accordingly, so does the music. Before meeting Christian, ignorant and exciting music is played; loud and energized. However, as the two main characters fall in love, the music becomes slow and passionate, and lighting changes from intensive red to a mellower, dazzling light blue. Music in this musical is a mockery of famous songs, adding personality and emotion.
Chief performers are Nicole Kidman, as the dazzling Satine- a courtesan famous for igniting the inner desires within men- and Ewan McGregor as Christian- a penniless but inspirational writer, mistaken by Satine as someone else. Both these stars put on a terrific show with their voices, natural acting capabilities: in particular Kidman’s bedroom scene, where she rips off her clothes and starts “grrring” at who she thinks is the Duke. Kylie Minogue also puts in a small part as the ‘green fairy’ that shakes her tootsie and flirts with Christian.
Director, Baz Luhrmann, weaves into this musical the themes of passion, obsession and desire, and also fills the screen with high-energy music and stunning visuals. Choreography is also an excellent aspect, for hundreds of girls are made to dance in certain patterns, winding here and there to draw attention. Not only does dance pattern draw attention, but so does the vast variety of costumes worn on the set, including frills, corsets, mesh, and silk in thousands of vibrant colors. Choreography, costumes, lighting and sound add overall affect to the show and decorate this love tale, evoking a sense of tragedy, passion and magic upon us.
