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Moulin Rouge At the Taj
The Moulin Rouge came on a promotional visit to Mumbai and there was a gala dinner at the Taj Ball Room organized by Alliance Française de Bombay and catered by Moulin Rouge chefs. Dancers and acrobats performed. As President of Alliance Française de Bombay I introduced Moulin Rouge with this poem. It was covered by Business India.
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Suggested Poem
Trio con FuocoThough Sacré-Coeur rose on the hill,
The sanctity just could not spill
Down to Montmartre's lusting slopes
The revelers retained their hopes.
And in this bohemian setting
The founder of all modern betting
The adventurous Joseph Oller
And his director Charles Zidler
Set up a sumptuous music hall
Where customers could have a ball.
And in a prominent position
Was a Jumbo from the exposition.
For the indolent an opium den,
But dancing girls for active men,
Dancing girls who knew all games,
Dancing girls with lively names-
The acrobatic La Sauterelle
And Gavrochette la gazelle.
Paquerette and Pigeonette,
La Pirouette and Serpolette.
The quite explosive Mélinite,
Who knew how high to lift her feet.
As did Nini Patte en l'air
Who in her Cancan school did dare
To invite some men as well.
Now as far as I can tell,
The best known one was La Goulue
Whom Henri Toulouse-Lautrec knew.
And in his poster you will find
He painted her from behind.
A glutton for both food and drink,
Her decadence caused her to sink.
So Moulin Rouge played its part
Right at the start of modern art.
And from now on things get better
As it serves up the Operetta.
And I don't think it would be wrong
To say that this lead to pop song.
They always had the greatest singers
And never called the second stringers.
I am serious, please don't laugh
They had Montand, they had Piaf.
For us I think it's jolly good,
The extravagance of Bollywood
Inspired Moulin Rouge the movie,
Which, you will agree, was groovy.
Today, as of course, you know,
They'll promote their latest show.
And when you travel to Paris It is a show that you must see.
But if not come to the Taj,
The ball room is not quite so large.
But glimpses you will get to see.
Nor will you pay any fee!
Food for the eyes and food to eat
A formula you just can't beat.
When you have a show like this,
The food is what you might dismiss.
But that would be a big mistake,
That I would not want you to make.
Don't be content with a mere peck
For they have brought Chef Tarridec,
From Finisterre in Brittany
And I could read a litany
Of his prestigious awards.
He hasn't won any swords
But all the same he duly rates
One toque, two stars, three palms, fourplates.
Jérôme Chapman chose him to be
Chef of the year 2003.
Laurent Tarridec went all the way
From his Quimper to St. Tropez.
He uses olive oil and butter
Critics never forget to utter
Rich praise for his unusual style
For Laurent goes the extra mile.
Before we start the food and dance,
A little plug for the Alliance.
Our economy is on the rise,
French companies are getting wise,
It is a cause for much good cheer
That more and more are coming here.
And all the workers on the bench
Are being sent to learn more French
Patrick and I find this bonne chance,
More classes held by the Alliance.
And if you know a lad or wench
Who wants to learn a little French
Or merely wants to share a part
Of her fine literature and art,
Our arms are always open wide
And today it is our pride
To bring the Moulin Rouge to you
This is our way to renew
Our ties to you that are so dear
In this our seventieth year.
Enjoy the dance, enjoy the song
With Moulin Rouge you can't go wrong.
And of course you must see
The Moulin Rouge when in Paris.
Suggested Poem
Trio con Fuoco