Moulin Scrooge: Trevor Ashley & Carlotta Deliver ‘Delightfully Sick’ Moulin Rouge Parody

Australian musical theatre actor, cabaret and drag artist Trevor Ashley returns to the stage in Moulin Scrooge, a nutty and hilarious adults only pantomime from the creative minds of Ashley and Phill Scott. This is the fractured and delightfully sick parody of everyone’s favourite Baz Luhrmann classic Moulin Rouge.

In recent years Ashley has performed in magnificent theatrical productions including Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dream.

His previous batshit crazy shows include The Body Bag & The Lyin’ Queen. If readers of this publication saw the original production of Moulin Scrooge back in 2022 and believe they don’t need to attend an encore performance, Ashley explains that this is a brand-new show.

“We have written a new one and this time it’s set in Kings Cross Sydney, rather than in the glamorous realm of Paris. It’s a lot of fun with a lot of new local jokes and stars myself and the amazing Carlotta.”

Ashley plays ever arousing Saton, a showgirl from King’s Cross whose cabaret club she performs in is in danger of closing and being bulldozed by the government for more empty luxury apartments. She falls in love with a young bogan named You-In McGregor – will she give up her dream of performing on stage for love?

When asked whether this latest production of Moulin Scrooge will be bigger and bawdier than the previous Ashley was quick to respond.

“I hope so! We’ve done a complete re-write with new jokes, new songs and new costumes it’ll be bigger and better than ever and I’m so excited to be back in Sydney after being away for so long.”

Ashley is looking forward to being back on stage as the highly arousing Saton, who he says is ‘sexier than ever’.

“Saton is definitely the sex maniac she always was and is very excited to come along and see those Sydney boys after being starved of men while she was away for so long.”

When asked whether Saton is a bitch, he explains that she’s definitely the nice one in the show and that Astrid Zeneca (played by Carlotta) is the bitch.

“She’s the nastiest to everybody – she’s sort of the evil godmother but still very glamorous.”

Ashley laughingly tells City Hub it luckily wasn’t difficult to force Carlotta out of retirement.

“She kept saying ‘I’m retiring, I’m retiring, I’m never doing it again’ and when I called her and asked whether she’d like to do Moulin Scrooge just one more time she quickly said YES! We just adore each other and I’m so excited to have her back on stage.”

Be warned! Moulin Scrooge absolutely contains audience participation, but only group participation and Ashley pinky swears not to make fun of anybody individually. But don’t think you’re safe if you choose a seat down the back of the theatre.

“We move through the house, so you’re screwed wherever you’re sitting!” laughed Ashley.

This show is the best option for anyone genuinely wanting to have good, silly fun. It’s a show like the musical Titanique with crazy jokes, great singing and wonderful performances. Ashley promises this will be a really fun laugh a minute night out!

Finally, should the conservative ‘stick in the mud’ variety of people come along and watch Moulin Scrooge?

“I feel that we can convert them, but I think if you’re too conservative don’t bother because you’d get horribly offended. We only want fun people who are ready to get slightly offended and have a big dirty old laugh!”

Moulin Scrooge is on until Apr 5 at the Seymour Centre.