Sixteen costume changes and an entourage of dressers and make-up artists make her shine during the show in what actor Alinta Chidzey,who plays Satine,calls the “grand prix pit stop of dressing”.
Alinta Chidzey said there was a “well-oiled machine” to help her in and out of Satine’s costumes during the show.Flavio Brancaleone
“There’s not a lot of time,so it’s got to be a well-oiled machine,” she said.
Satine’s wardrobe of crystals and couture,feathers and fishnet tights is designed not only to dazzle,but also withstand the energetic choreography of the stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 movie,which featured Nicole Kidman as the doomed heroine.
Des Flanagan and Alinta Chidzey as Christian and Satine.Daniel Boud
Chidzey’s corsets must be tight enough to maintain their shape,she said,while still allowing her to “squeeze out the last bit of breath” as she hits the high notes.
Some of Chidzey’s costume changes occur on stage,which meant outfits had to be easily taken on and off so that a stuck zipper or tangled stocking does not halt the show.
She counts herself fortunate to have dressers not only to help with lightning-fast costume changes,but also remember the accessories – hats,jewellery,gloves – that are essential to her character.
Satine is not the only well-dressed character inMoulin Rouge,which following a pandemic-disrupted season in Melbourne.
Luhrmann’s iconic movie,starring Kidman and Ewan McGregor as star-crossed lovers Satine and Christian,was shot two decades ago in Sydney’s Fox Studios,but it took 15 years to bring the jukebox musical film to the stage.
The winning 10 awards including the best musical and best costume design for Catherine Zuber.
Luhrmann’s latest movie,Elvis, premiered at Cannes Film Festival, ahead of its theatrical release in June.
From men in tutus to the fluttering wings of the green fairy,performers wear about 250 costumes duringMoulin Rouge! The Musical,generating a phenomenal pile of laundry,said associate costume designer Janet Hine.
“I know it’s crazy,and you can’t just be throwing things in a washing machine,” she said. “There’s a lot of handwashing in the show. There are so many frills and trims,feathers and crystals. You’ve got to be careful washing that or else you ruin the costume.”
Hine does not deal with the show’s dirty laundry,but she is tasked with ensuring the integrity of Zuber’s Tony Award-winning costumes is maintained in every production.
“Because the costumes are so fitted,the smallest change in body size or shape can make a difference on the fit,” she said. “So I need to keep a regular eye on the show for that reason.”
Associate costume designer Janet Hine (left) has the job of ensuring the integrity of the show’s costumes is maintained in every production.Flavio Brancaleone
Satine is not Chidzey’s first musical heroine,with roles as Velma Kelly inChicago and Anita inWest Side Story.
Chidzey said she stood out during auditions not only for her acting and singing skills,but also because she was 37 weeks pregnant with daughter Harley.
“I was ginormous in the audition,” she said. “I think that’s what sold it – the woman with the baby. It was quite an intense audition with a huge belly,especially the singing and dancing.”
Chidzey said Satine is an “incredible role to play” not only for the costumes,but also for the many layers of emotion and turmoil she endures.
“She has so many different facades like a diamond,” she said. “Lots of reflections when you strip back all the different layers of her character.”
A cultural guide to going out and loving your city.