“Where’s my all soul sistas? Lemme hear ya’ll flow sisters”
★★★★★
We met Mulan down in Ancient China… or more accurately, in an unassuming entertainment space nestled underneath Waterloo Station.
Found by snaking through Banksy’s Leake Street graffiti tunnel, The Vaults is home to a roster of immersive theatre and alternative arts. It is the perfect location for Mulan Rouge. This is a new ground-breaking show by artist ShayShay, visionary behind The Bitten Peach and Good Judy. ShayShay has merged the Disney classic Mulan with Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge to create an incredible cabaret experience. This exhilarating production brings together cabaret, drag, burlesque, and a whole lot of humour to push boundaries and redefine theatre.
As the show opens, Mulan (Ella Cumber) takes to a basic stage in a small room and tells us the familiar tale of her fate. She must find a husband or face the wrath of her family and ancestors. Her ancestors, brimming with wisdom, are the audience in this immersive retelling of two pop culture classics. The interactive nature of the show veers on pantomime to really ramp up the camp.
Chinese emblems and flags adorn the set at the beginning of the show. The simple wooden set doesn’t suggest this is a luxury theatre experience. Although it does lend itself well to encouraging audience participation during a game of Blind Date meets Blankety Blank.
What happens next is a lesson in not judging a book by its cover.
As Mulan schemes to take her father’s place and fight in the war, Cumber invites their ancestors to join Mulan on her journey to Paris, France. To our surprise, the first act’s unassuming backdrop is replaced by an opulent, mind-blowing setting, à la Moulin Rouge. The presence of a giant windmill indicates that we are now in a cabaret in the French capital. We are figuratively and literally a long way from that simple wooden set we started with.
The cast of Mulan Rouge are brilliant fun and their commitment to character solidifies an already well-written storyline.
Ella Cumber perfectly embodies Mulan as both the clumsy tomboy and the disguised solider. Whether draped in a gorgeous Hanfu or fitted in a strapping uniform, they captivate the audience. Such is Cumber’s versatility, they whisk the audience on a journey of self-discovery against explosions of colour and pop beats.
Another real highlight is Ruby Wednesday as Madame. They lead their troupe of girls in breaking the fourth wall and running riot around the Moulin Rouge. Their raucous behaviour had the audience in stitches throughout this wild show.
Tickets to Mulan Rouge are available either with or without dining. However, treating yourself to the Asian-French menu is well worth it. Dining on four courses banquet-style elevates the show to a spectacular theatre experience.
Ultimately, this show upturns everything you think you know about Disney’s Mulan and Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge. Creating an electric atmosphere with its exploration of love and life, you will leave Mulan Rouge ready to take on the world.
Get down to business – and London’s The Vaults – for a spectacular immersive experience you will never forget.
Words by Tayler Finnegan
Support The Indiependent
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.