1889 was an iconic year for Paris, not only did it celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution by hosting one of the memorable Expositions Universelles with the unveiling of the Eiffel Tower at the exhibition, but it was also the year that Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler opened the famous Moulin Rouge. A name inspired by the red windmill that adorns the top of the building, which is today synonymous with Parisian nightlife and cabaret.
The genius of two people that understood that to be different and stand out amongst the many, you must make a statement and think outside the box. In an era when electricity was still a novel concept, they embraced the technology and not only used it to create amazing staging performances, but they literally put their name and the building in lights creating a beacon of curiosity on the hill in Montemarte. Once inside the Moulin Rouge, you were transported into a realm of theatrical opulence. The auditorium is grandiose, dressed in extravagant red velvet, and the gilded ceilings shimmer in the light of the chandeliers. Their shows were extravagant, unique, and risqué leaving patrons spellbound. Even though the Can-can was not invented at the Moulin Rouge, it was most certainly made famous there. The Moulin Rouge was also one of the first, if not the first place that served a meal whilst people were being entertained, yet again setting themselves apart from the rest.
134 years later and the legacy if the Moulin Rouge is still enchanting patrons, now that is what I call an amazing out-of-the-box idea!
