The Moulin Rouge has been home to a range of mysterious, sensual performances in its past, but never has it been graced by the Steel City Sirens…until now. Taking us on a tour of the depths of Paris, the Sirens returned for one last show in the 2023/24 season.
The final Sirens show of the year, the Moulin Rouge Masquerade Ball, took us to the steamy depths of the Moulin Rouge, to see our favourite burlesque group in their final showcase of the academic year. Presented as usual by the Sirens’ own Rosie, the three-part show saw returning favourites and new talent grace the stage, as well as the final performance for some of our longest-performing Sirens before they graduate.
Yet another Sirens performance, and yet another fantastic showing from the society that has already amazed us so much in the past year. So many of the performances left me speechless (quite literally after all of the cheering at some points!) and the night was brilliant. Moving from Raynor Lounge to Foundry for their last show allowed the Sirens to do so much with the additional space and attract even more audience members, which hopefully has been represented in their takings for charity. As usual, every single performance was incredibly well choreographed, the outfits on point and of course, sexy vibes from every corner of the room. Every performer clearly had an amazing time on stage and as an audience, we felt it too!
The night was also strangely emotional. Rosie took to the stage at one point to speak about not only body positivity, but body neutrality as well, which is so often overlooked. But as someone to whom that relates so much, it made the night feel so empowering, even as an audience member. For many of the Sirens, including the society’s president and even presenter Rosie, this was to be their final show as Sirens before graduating. With all the performers on stage together at the end, the brilliant show that had preceded it and the power in Foundry that night, everyone was left misty eyed as the old committee gave way to the new, and many Sirens took their last bows.
The end of the year means the end of the Steel City Sirens shows until the next academic year, and what a way to go out with a bang! Every single performer, new or returning, should be incredibly proud of what they have done last night and this year, and I hope to see many of them return in 2024/25.
Rating: ★★★★★
Moulin Rouge Masquerade Ball was performed in Foundry on April 26th. For future shows from The Steel City Sirens, see @steelcitysirens on Instagram
