The red velvet curtain at Piccadilly Theatre has seen more costume changes backstage than on stage this year. Between surprise guest runs and a full principal rotation in September 2025, knowing exactly who is singing “Elephant Love Medley” on any given night has become its own spectator sport.

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Principal cast at Piccadilly Theatre: Karis Anderson, Alistair Brammer, Craig Ryder ?
Harold Zidler role (recent notable performers): Boy George (2024-2025), Bob The Drag Queen (2025) ?
Current Satine performer (London, Sept 2025): Karis Anderson ?
Current Christian performer (London, Sept 2025): Alistair Brammer

Quick snapshot

1Current Principal Cast (London, Sept 2025)
2Notable Past Harold Zidler Performers
  • Boy George (2024-2025, limited return 2025) (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet))
  • Bob The Drag Queen (2025) (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet))
3Where to See Cast List
4Confirmed Facts
  • Karis Anderson is currently Satine (announced Sept 2, 2025)
  • Alistair Brammer is currently Christian (announced Sept 2, 2025)
  • Craig Ryder is currently Harold Zidler (announced Sept 2, 2025)
  • Boy George performed as Zidler previously
5What’s Unclear
  • Exact dates of Boy George’s final performance
  • Exact dates of Bob The Drag Queen’s run
  • Whether Boy George will return again in future

The key facts below show the current cast composition as of the September 2025 announcement.

Key facts about the Moulin Rouge London cast
Attribute Value
Theatre Piccadilly Theatre, London
Current Satine Karis Anderson (from Sept 2025)
Current Christian Alistair Brammer (from Sept 2025)
Current Harold Zidler Craig Ryder (from Sept 2025)
Notable Zidler guests 2024-2025 Boy George, Bob The Drag Queen

Is Boy George still playing in Moulin Rouge?

Boy George performed as Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge London from November 2024 to early 2025, then returned for a limited engagement in 2025 (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet)). As of September 2025, Craig Ryder is the Harold Zidler in the London cast (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet)).

The upshot

Boy George fans who missed him on stage face limited future opportunities to see him in the role, as the production has moved on to a permanent principal cast.

The pattern: Boy George’s celebrity casting drew audiences curious about a pop icon, but his run was always time-limited. For West End regulars, the return to a full-time actor like Craig Ryder offers more predictability for planning performances.

Who plays Satine in Moulin Rouge right now?

Karis Anderson is currently playing Satine in the London production. She joined the cast in September 2025 (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet)). Previous Satine performers include Kelsie Watts (West End Theatre (London theatre listings site)).

Why this matters

The Satine role demands a performer who can belt “Come What May” while executing demanding choreography, and Anderson’s casting follows a line of strong principal vocalists.

The implication: Anderson’s arrival marks a significant casting choice, bringing fresh energy to the role after Watts’ acclaimed run. For ticket buyers, this is an opportunity to see a new performer shaping a familiar part.

Who are the leads in Moulin Rouge?

Who is the drag queen in the Moulin Rouge Musical?

Bob The Drag Queen performed as Harold Zidler in 2025 (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet)). This celebrity casting drew audiences interested in RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni.

Is Bob the drag queen in Moulin Rouge now?

Bob The Drag Queen’s run has reportedly concluded. As of September 2025, Craig Ryder is the Harold Zidler in the London cast (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet)).

Principal leads include Karis Anderson (Satine), Alistair Brammer (Christian), and Craig Ryder (Harold Zidler) (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet)). Richard Lloyd King plays Toulouse-Lautrec, and Ben Richards plays The Duke (West End Theatre (London theatre listings site)).

The catch

With celebrity guest turns becoming a staple, audiences who buy tickets far in advance should check the cast list close to performance date to avoid disappointment about who is on stage.

The pattern: The principal cast for a straight period is now stable through May 2026, but the show’s willingness to slot in celebrity guests means the Zidler role could see more surprises.

Is there a dress code for Moulin Rouge London?

Moulin Rouge London (Piccadilly Theatre) has no formal dress code (London Theatre Direct (West End ticket vendor)). Patrons typically wear smart casual or cocktail attire. Theatre policy allows most clothing except for offensive items (London Theatre Direct (West End ticket vendor)).

What this means: For most visitors, there’s no need to overthink the outfit. Comfortable smart casual is the norm, though some theatregoers choose to dress up for the occasion.

Timeline: Cast changes at Moulin Rouge London

  • : Boy George performs as Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge London (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet))
  • : Bob The Drag Queen takes over as Harold Zidler (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet))
  • : New London cast announced: Karis Anderson (Satine), Alistair Brammer (Christian), Craig Ryder (Harold Zidler) (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet))
  • : New tickets for the extended London run go on sale (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet))
  • : Anderson and Brammer begin their run at Piccadilly Theatre (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet))
  • : Current booking extension end date (Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet))

Confirmed facts

  • Karis Anderson is currently Satine (announced Sept 2, 2025)
  • Alistair Brammer is currently Christian (announced Sept 2, 2025)
  • Craig Ryder is currently Harold Zidler (announced Sept 2, 2025)
  • Boy George performed as Zidler previously

What’s unclear

  • Exact dates of Boy George’s final performance
  • Exact dates of Bob The Drag Queen’s run
  • Whether Boy George will return again in future

“The London production extends bookings through 23 May 2026 at the Piccadilly Theatre.”

Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet)

“New tickets for the extended London run go on sale on 22 September 2025.”

Curtain Call Bway (theatre news outlet)

For the London theatregoer hoping to catch a specific star performance, the lesson is clear: check the cast list before booking, or accept the gamble that your chosen night may feature a rotation. The production’s booking extension through May 2026 means more chances to see the new principal cast settle in, but the Zidler role remains the wild card.

Bottom line: The implication: Craig Ryder now anchors the iconic Zidler role, offering stability after a year of rotating celebrity names.
Additional sources

london-theater-tickets.com, theatre-news.com, londontheatredirect.com, imdb.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is Boy George still playing in Moulin Rouge London?

No. Boy George is no longer playing Harold Zidler. Craig Ryder took over the role as of September 2025.

Who plays Satine in Moulin Rouge right now?

Karis Anderson is currently playing Satine, having joined the cast in September 2025.

Who plays Christian in Moulin Rouge London?

Alistair Brammer plays Christian in the London production as of September 2025.

Who is the drag queen in the Moulin Rouge Musical?

Bob The Drag Queen performed as Harold Zidler in 2025 in a limited engagement. As of September 2025, Craig Ryder holds the role.

Is there a dress code for Moulin Rouge London?

No. The Piccadilly Theatre has no formal dress code. Smart casual or cocktail attire is typical.

How do I find the current Moulin Rouge London cast?

Check the official website at moulinrougemusical.co.uk/cast or London Theatre Direct for the latest lineup.

Who played Harold Zidler before Craig Ryder?

Boy George played Harold Zidler from November 2024 to early 2025, and Bob The Drag Queen took over in 2025.