Newcastle’s finest entertainment venue is to be transformed into a famous late 19^th Century cabaret attraction on Thursday 1 December.

The North East’s World AIDS Day Red Ball will see Newcastle’s Assembly Rooms step back in time to host a Moulin Rouge extravaganza.

With extravagant fancy dress the order of the evening, The Assembly Rooms is all set to be packed to the rafters with Toulouse-Lautrec look-alikes, troupes of scantily clad can-can dancers, and circus-inspired ring masters.

Sean Murphy of Body Positive North East, the region’s official World AIDS Day committee, said: “A Moulin Rouge-themed evening gives people the opportunity to be as flamboyant as they like, whilst at the same time raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS.

“And what better place to host our theatrical evening, than in one of the city’s best-established entertainment venues. Its elegance, its history and the amazing attention to detail in its decor, make it the perfect venue to recreate the Moulin Rouge.”

As well as a delicious three-course meal, the Moulin Rouge spectacle at The Assembly Rooms is jam packed  with singing, dancing and interpretation of the love story central to the famous theatre show. Highly-esteemed dancer and aerial artiste, Stuart Hatton, is confirmed as appearing alongside can-can troupes and singers from Middlesbrough College.

Antony Michaelides, owner of the Assembly Rooms, said: “We have hosted the North East’s World AIDS Day Red Ball in the past, and it is always a truly tremendous evening. Last year, the World AIDS Day committee organised a Masquerade Ball, to highlight the changing face of HIV/AIDS.

“This year’s Moulin Rouge-themed ball is certain to be even more flamboyant, and so it’s unsurprising that tickets are almost sold out.”

Amidst the laughter and showbiz style entertainment, there remains a serious message to the evening at the Assembly Rooms on December 1.

Sean adds: “Throughout the evening, guests can purchase a star in memory of a loved one affected by HIV or AIDS, which they place on our Christmas tree. At the end of the Moulin Rouge stage show, a Congolese choir will sing in their memory, before lighting the Christmas tree. It’s a sombre moment to see so many stars lit up like that and we’ll spend three minutes contemplating those affected by HIV and AIDS.

 “The choir will then perform a few upbeat songs, before the disco starts, and the party will soon be back in full swing.”

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 every year as an occasion to raise awareness about the AIDS pandemic caused through the spread of HIV infection. Around 33 million people live with HIV around the world, making it one of the most destructive disease outbreaks in history. In southern Africa alone, AIDS has left some 14 million children orphaned.

There are a handful of tickets on sale for the Moulin Rouge spectacular at The Assembly Rooms, which includes a three-course meal and starts at 7pm. With tickets priced at just £29.50, organisers of the event are urging interested parties to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

For more information about the event, please call 0191 2322855 or visit www.bpne.org. Tickets can be purchased by calling 0191 277 2048.