Our lives are a cabaret and it’s all down to good friends and can cans of Irn-Bru
Stars on life at the Moulin Rouge
It has become the most famous show in the world as the dancers of the Moulin Rouge high-kicked their way to become icons of exotic glamour and legendary champagne-fuelled nights.
But a trio of Scots in the line-up – Sarah Tandy, Lucy Monaghan and Michaela Rondelli – have revealed how they prefer bubbles of a different kind, made in Scotland from girders.
The talented trio are part of the 60-strong chorus treading the boards in the iconic Parisian
theatre six nights a week and, with two shows and 24 costume changes a night, it’s hard work.
On a visit home, the girls revealed what sees them through is friendship and a secret stash of Irn-Bru.
Michaela, from Almondbank, Perthshire, said: “We may live and work in Paris, but we’ll always be Scots girls at heart.
“When I come back to Scotland, I go round the girls and ask if they want anything brought from back. The response is always Irn-Bru.”
The 26-year-old, who has been dancing the can-can with the Moulin for three-and-a-half years, added: “It’s funny how you miss the little luxuries, like potato scones and drinking water straight from the tap.”
Michaela, Sarah and Lucy have formed a close bond.
“It’s amazing to have fellow Scots around,” Sarah, 37, from Whitburn, said. “Hearing a Scottish accent really makes you feel like you’re in a home from home.”
Lucy, 28 from Glasgow, added: “I’ve met so many lovely people since joining the Moulin seven years ago and they’ll all be friends for life.”
Next month the Moulin Rouge, which opened it’s doors in Montmartre in 1889, celebrates its 130th anniversary.
With the milestone approaching, the girls came home this week to showcase Moulin Rouge stage costumes at the prestigious Lunch with an Old Bag event at Edinburgh’s Prestonfield House, in aid of the Princes Trust.
The dance troupe’s wardrobe included historical pieces, such as the black, red and silver snake number worn by Jane Avril in the original Toulouse-Lautrec posters.
They were also filming for a documentary to be aired on BBC Alba on Christmas Day.