Artists Who Performed at the Moulin Rouge

The Moulin Rouge’s reputation drew numerous artists onto its infamous stage. The cabaret with its bar also became a sort of well-known theatrical stage where performing was a privilege. Actors and singers like Mistinguett contributed to the cabaret’s legend while others like Edith Piaf and Yves Montand kept it going strong.

Mistinguett and the Golden Age at the Moulin Rouge

The performer Jeanne Bourgeois, who would take on the stage name Mistinguett, performed at the Moulin Rouge in 1909 for the first time. She also appeared at the Folies Bergères where she would meet Maurice Chevalier with whom she had a 10-year love affair. Her influence on the Moulin Rouge is undeniable, not only as its star performer but also as its Co-Director and Costume Director. Mistinguett is without a doubt one of the many people who made the cabaret what it is today.

Jean Gabin, a Music-hall Artist Before Anything Else

Jean Gabin, leading actor in the 1969 film Le Clan des Siciliens with Alain Delon and Lino Ventura, began his career as an operetta singer. His talent was picked up on by Mistinguett during an audition for the Moulin Rouge. His first revue with the Moulin Rouge troupe was Paris qui tourne. He would later become Mistinguett’s partner after she and fellow performer Maurice Chevalier separated.

Edith Piaf: the Day Before the Liberation of Paris

When Edith Piaf sang at the Moulin Rouge in 1944 she was already a well-known artist. “La Môme,” or “the kid” as she was called, had not yet recorded La Vie en Rose. She was nevertheless a huge star who succeeded as both cabaret singer and music-hall performer. For her first show at the Moulin Rouge she was accompanied by a young artist named Yves Montand. Their meeting would give rise to Montand’s career.

Yves Montand, a Young Beginner at the Moulin Rouge

Although he had just arrived in Paris when he would meet “La Môme,” Montand would sing before Edith Piaf during their acts in Moulin Rouge. A love story was born from their encounter and above all a burgeoning career that kicked off in 1945. The success of his song “La Bicyclette” (1968) spread to East Europe and even to the USA. Montand also appeared on Broadway and acted alongside Marilyn Monroe in George Cukor’s 1960 film, Le Milliardaire.

For these artists, the Moulin Rouge would forever represent the place where their careers took off. Although certain would eventually perform at other cabarets such as les Folies Bergères, or even appear on the big screen, the Moulin Rouge was a firsthand witness to their incredible destinies.

A succession of popular shows at the Moulin Rouge helped to concretize its reputation. A place that provided entertainment for the masses, the cabaret also brought a diverse population to its doors at the foot of the Montmartre hill. While today the shows at the Moulin Rouge are well known, and Féérie has been running since 1999, the cabaret’s theatre was one of Europe’s greatest for a long time and welcomed artists of all colors.

Footit and Chocolat

During the cabaret’s first years, laughter was an important part of its program. Circus arts among others allowed the public to revel in evenings centered around concerts and balls. Footit and Chocolat was an artistic duo and headline act at the Moulin Rouge. George Footit (1864-1921) played the role of an authoritative white clown and Rafael Padilla (1868-1917) played the role of a black clown-punching bag.

The Pétomane

Joseph Pujol (1857-1945) performed at the Moulin Rouge because of his unusual physical capacities. In fact, the Pétomane was capable of contracting his muscles to break wind on command. A baker by trade, Pujol would put bread-making aside to conquer spectators at the Moulin Rouge and later the public at large when he became a traveling artist. His career would unfortunately come to an abrupt end with the beginning of the First World War.

La Goulue

Louise Weber (1866-1929), a.k.a. “La Goulue,” was a leading light at the Moulin Rouge. Figuring on Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s famous Mouln Rouge poster, Weber trained with dance stars Edme Etienne and Jules Renaudin, a.k.a. Valentin Le Desossé (1843-1907). The nickname “La Goulue” was synonymous with French Cancan and balls at the Moulin Rouge. Weber’s shows attracted the public not only because of her dancing talent but her personality.

Mistinguett’s Influence

Jeanne Bourgeois (1875-1956), better known under the stage name Mistinguett, sang at the Moulin Rouge until 1929. Already a star, she was behind several successful shows like La Revue Mistinguett. She also sang songs that would forever mark the history of the cabaret such as “Ca, c’est Paris” and “On m’suit” with Jean Gabin who would later become her lover.

Failed Shows

Although the Moulin Rouge has made Paris and its visitors dream for more than 120 years, there were several occasions during its history when the public was less amused. In 1893, the “Bal des Quat’z’Arts” was a huge flop. Around that time, a scandal rocked Paris when a performer playing the role of Cleopatra paraded naked at the cabaret surrounded by an entourage of naked young women.

Another cabaret flop took place in 1927 when dancers were meant to pop out of huge cakes but their heels doused in cake cream unfortunately caused them to slip and slide, a performance that created more jeers than cheers.

Although Féérie has only been on the Moulin Rouge bill since 1999, its five distinct scenes plunge spectators into the cabaret’s long history by revisiting certain elements of previous shows that ultimately contributed to the cabaret’s success.