Jump directly to the content

ICONIC Parisian cabaret the Moulin Rouge is celebrating 130 years of rhinestone clad dancers, high-kicks and can-cans.

These incredible backstage pics give an insight into the preparation process of the 60 performers from 14 different countries, kick, saunter and shimmy their way through the Feerie show, the revue that is now the mainstay of the Moulin Rouge's repertoire.

 Dancers get ready for the 'red' set in the review, Feerie
20
Dancers get ready for the 'red' set in the review, FeerieCredit: Reuters
 A dancer performs in Feerie, the Moulin Rouge's mainstay act
20
A dancer performs in Feerie, the Moulin Rouge's mainstay actCredit: Reuters
 Dancers rest during a rehearsal
20
Dancers rest during a rehearsalCredit: Reuters

Photographers have captured the incredible art of ultra-quick costume changes, backbreaking rehearsals and the painstaking art of gluing hundreds of rhinestones, feathers and sequins to the 1,000 outfits used per show.

The cabaret, with an audience of 600,000 is put on twice an evening as revellers make their way through nearly a quarter of a million bottles of champagne.

Claudine Van Den Bergh, a 27-year-old Irish dancer who has been dancing at the Moulin Rouge for seven years said of the iconic show: "The whole team including dancers, aides and technicians need to be very organised.

"A little mistake or a little delay and you can miss your entrance. You really need to be at the right time at the right place."

 Dancers attend the yearly rehearsal with choreographer, Will Goodson
20
Dancers attend the yearly rehearsal with choreographer, Will GoodsonCredit: Reuters
 Just a few of the 250,000 bottles of fizz Moulin Rouge audiences get through per year
20
Just a few of the 250,000 bottles of fizz Moulin Rouge audiences get through per yearCredit: Reuters
 Staff prepare tables for the first show of the evening
20
Staff prepare tables for the first show of the eveningCredit: Reuters
 Dancers putting the last-minute touches to their looks before the show
20
Dancers putting the last-minute touches to their looks before the showCredit: Reuters
 A dancer's headdress is adjusted backstage
20
A dancer's headdress is adjusted backstageCredit: Reuters
 Dancers adjust their hats as they wait for the next set
20
Dancers adjust their hats as they wait for the next setCredit: Reuters
 French cancan soloist Olga Khkhlova performs during the Cancan
20
French cancan soloist Olga Khkhlova performs during the CancanCredit: Reuters
 Audience members take in the performance
20
Audience members take in the performanceCredit: Reuters
 Dancers with elaborate costumes rush to change
20
Dancers with elaborate costumes rush to changeCredit: Reuters
 Dancer, Axelle, stretches before her performance
20
Dancer, Axelle, stretches before her performanceCredit: Reuters
 Costume designers work on the elaborately decorated outfits at the Moulin Rouge workshops
20
Costume designers work on the elaborately decorated outfits at the Moulin Rouge workshopsCredit: Reuters
 The Cancan in full swing
20
The Cancan in full swingCredit: Reuters
 Dancers wait backstage
20
Dancers wait backstageCredit: Reuters
 Coach and dancer, Audrey trains a group of performers
20
Coach and dancer, Audrey trains a group of performersCredit: Reuters
 Backstage, the dancers' dressing room
20
Backstage, the dancers' dressing roomCredit: Reuters
 French Cancan shoes in the shoe-making workshop
20
French Cancan shoes in the shoe-making workshopCredit: Reuters
 A dressmaker fixes a costume
20
A dressmaker fixes a costumeCredit: Reuters


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at
[email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.