A Dedicated Fan: Rob’s 63 Visits too moulin Rouge! โThe โMusical
Rob, a 42-year-old graphic designer โfrom Boxtel, has seen Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Beatrix Theater in Utrecht an remarkable 63 โคtimes. He initiallyโข hesitated to reveal the extent of โคhis dedication,โ stating, “I’m notโข going to tell thisโ on โขmy own anytime soon, because โฃthat sounds kind of crazy, right?”
Rob discovered a powerful effect after his firstโ viewing. โข”I never thought it โคwould affect me soโค much when I โคwent to Moulin Rouge forโ the first time. After that first time, I went home with so much positive energy. I was fully โoverwhelmed, it gave โme a huge boost of energy. It โmade me happy and it also gave me inspirationโ for my work.”
He describes the musical as โa vital source of relaxation and rejuvenation. “the theater forcesโค meโค to turn off my cell phone and email. I relax there. Yet this โขtheater spectacle is in a class of its own.Never before have Iโข seen the same performance soโ many times. It is indeed my medicineโ forโ the tensions in this world โand the stress of my work. I can recommend it โto everyone.”
Rob frequently shares his experience โฃwith others, โขnoting that even those initially uninterested in musicals have been profoundly affected. “If someone is going through a challenging period or is not interested in musicalsโ at all,โข they are without exception very excited afterwards. This gives everyone energy and makes them happier. And that makes me happy too.”
The repeatedโ visits have cost Rob โคthousands of euros, but he โfeels the investment is worthwhile. “I don’tโฃ spend โคitโ in the pub or on anotherโ hobby. I get a โคlot in return.” He appreciates the immersive atmosphere, beginning even before the performance starts. โ”That’sโข what’s so good about this musical. It starts whenโฃ the audience starts trickling in. You don’t know where to look, because there is so much โto seeโฃ and then the performance still hasโข to start.”
Rob also praises the โmusical’sโ soundtrack, which blends contemporary pop songsโข with classical music, performed by a live orchestra. “And then all those songs.They are all pieces โfrom well-known โขpop songs from the past fifty yearsโฆ it is very well made with a real orchestraโ underโ the stage.”
Recently, rob was recognized as one of the musical’s most dedicated fans.The ten attendees withโข the highest number of visits will receive a photoโ opportunity and a personalizedโข video message from โtheโ cast at the end of the month. Whileโข pleased, rob admits to feeling “a bit uncomfortable” โwith the attention, stating, “I am a quiet enjoyer and do notโข seek attention.”
He โpreviously had a personal encounter with โlead actressโ Keoma Aidhen, known as the ‘Sparkling Diamond’ in the production. After responding to โคa call for audience membersโ who had seen the show on Instagram, Aidhen gifted him a framed,โ signed sketch of a costume from the musical – the only Moulin Rouge! related item displayed in his home.โ He described theโ experience as both “nice” andโ “uncomfortable.”
rob sums up his โคdevotion by saying, “I would โคbe willing to pay thousands of โeuros for it.”
