Ooh la la! Irish sisters perform on Moulin Rouge stage

Two Irish sisters are taking Paris by storm - and all from the stage of the world-famous Moulin Rouge.

19-year-old Isabelle Van Den Bergh has joined her sister, 24-year-old Claudine, on the stage of the most famous cabaret in the world

Claudine has been performing in the Moulin Rouge for the past 3 years and last month she was joined on the stage by her younger sister.

The sisters were born in Dublin and have been passionate about dancing since childhood.

Claudine began dancing when she was two and Isabelle followed in her sister’s footsteps when she was four and begain taking dance classes in a Dublin school.

Pic Courtesy of ©Moulin Rouge- S.Wells

Their parents encouraged them to follow their dreams and become professional dancers.

Three years ago Claudine travelled to London to audition for her current role, and more recently Isabelle went to Leeds to apply for the same show. They passed their respective auditions under the expert eyes of Janet Pharaoh, the Moulin Rouge Ballet Mistress.

Their flawless dance technique, their height (5’8 is the minimum height for a Moulin Rouge dancer), their looks and professionalism led to them being offered a place in the famous venue and joining the cast of 70 artists who come from 14 different countries.

Claudine and Isabelle are currently the only Irish dancers in the show.

After three weeks of intensive rehearsal sessions, Isabelle is now performing 12 times a week beside her sister in the current show, Féerie.

Isabelle’s favourite part of the show is the French Cancan because “it combines dance and gymnastic training and it is full of energy.”

Claudine says she feels at home performing in the Moulin Rouge, “especially with my sister on stage”.