COVID-19: Moulin Rouge dancers train during Paris lockdown

France is in its 29th day of a strict lockdown aimed at curbing the pandemic

Published: April 16, 2020 18:12 AFP and Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor

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Irish dancer from the Moulin Rouge, Isabelle, practices in the street next to her home in Paris. Image Credit: AFP

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Paris: Dancers from the Moulin Rouge in Paris, used to strutting their stuff before large, enthusiastic audiences, now have just the mirror, or sometimes a cat to perform for, as they combat lockdown stagnation with a strict exercise regime at home. Alone. Image Credit: AFP

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Dancers of the famed cabaret who usually perform French cancans twice a day, six days a week, suddenly find themselves homebound, along with the rest of France due to the coronavirus outbreak. Image Credit: AFP

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French dancer from the Moulin Rouge, Mathilde, practices at home. Image Credit: AFP

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"Working out in my small 30 square-metre (apartment) can be a bit tricky," said Australian Courtney Male, 23, who has performed with the cabaret in Paris' touristy Montmartre district for over a year. Image Credit: AFP

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"I try to keep everything as normal as possible," said the brunette, in a black leotard and ponytail, using the fireplace, as the highest feature in her apartment, for a dance bar. Image Credit: AFP

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"I work out in the afternoons, ballet bars, whole body workout" in an effort to stay fit without access to a gym or the Moulin Rouge's rehearsal space, she said. Image Credit: AFP

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Irish dancer from the Moulin Rouge, Isabelle, practices at home. Image Credit: AFP

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The dancers must stay in tip-top shape, ready to tackle the physically demanding cancan as soon as the Moulin Rouge reopens along with other Paris entertainment venues shuttered to prevent the virus' spread. Many are in small, Parisian apartments. Image Credit: AFP

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"For the workouts, (I do) my own routine which sometimes gets tiresome without machines or weights. I find inspiration online with a lot of free classes, yoga, pilates, ballet," said Male. Image Credit: AFP

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Australian dancer from the Moulin Rouge, Courtney, practices at home. Image Credit: AFP

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Mathilde Tutiaux, 32, stretches out on her kitchen counter. "I am fortunate to have an open kitchen in my small living room," the Moulin Rouge dancer of eight years said. "I can put out a gym mat there, it gives me a bit of space. But not enough to dance..." Image Credit: AFP

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Almost every day at 5:00 pm Tutiaux meets up with friends to exercise together... online. Though the repertoire for now excludes leaps, spins, or practising "being lifted by the guys". Image Credit: AFP

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The Moulin Rouge's 450 employees, including 90 dancers, were placed on partial unemployment since the nationwide lockdown entered into force on March 17. Image Credit: AFP

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French dancer from the Moulin Rouge, Mathilde, practices in front of the Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris. Image Credit: AFP

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COVID-19: Moulin Rouge dancers train during Paris lockdown

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