Students dazzled by Moulin Rouge trip to Manchester’s Palace Theatre

Saturday, 4 October 2025 10:53

By Catherine Smyth / David Murphy

Whitworth Community High School students at a performance of Moulin Rouge at the Palace Theatre.

A group of Whitworth Community High School students were treated to the glitz and glamour of Moulin Rouge during a trip to Manchester’s Palace Theatre.

The visit, organised by Director of Creativity Mrs Goff, gave the Performing Arts Class a first-hand look at a professional stage production, and the pupils were left in awe.

For 15-year-old Katie Hahn, the highlight was Satine’s sparkling arrival on a swing before stepping onto a giant diamond.
She said: “Her costume was really good; it was blinding me.”

Katie, who played Cha Cha in her school’s version of Grease, has also seen Phantom of the Opera in London. She admitted she is considering performing as a career, but plans to study psychology at university after completing her A levels.

Fellow student Laila Bagshaw, 16, a dancer with Fusion Dance and Fitness in Weir, was taken in by the opening number.
She said: “I loved the opening when all the dancers were on the stage and they all had feathers. I liked the songs as well because in our show at Fusion our opening song was from Moulin Rouge, the Can Can.”

Classmate Poppy Griffiths, 15, said she enjoyed it so much that she hopes to return with her mum.

Not everything went smoothly, however, as the leading male performer was replaced by an understudy halfway through. The students felt his appearance and energy did not match the original actor.

While audience members were not allowed to sing along, the students confessed they could not stop singing the hits as they left the theatre.