LIFE really is a Cabaret for one Glasgow dancer who is starring at the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

Lucy Monaghan, 25, from Hyndland in the West End, joined the famous dance troupe three years ago.

She performs two shows, six night a week, at the iconic red windmill-topped theatre in the city's Boulevard de Clichy.

Nightly glamour and elaborate costumes have become a way of life for the former pupil of the Dance School of Scotland, based in Knightswood.

But Lucy, who gained a place at the Central School of Ballet in London when she was just 16, told the Evening Times that behind the veil of feathers and Swarovski crystals are hours of rigorous training and tough rehearsals.

"The standards are very high,"she said.

"I am a classically trained dancer and this has stood me in good stead in terms of technique and discipline."

Lucy, who has dreamed of performing on stage since she was just 10, travelled to Oslo in Norway to audition for a place in the cabaret with dancers from around the world.

Moulin Rouge has hundreds of applicants every year.

There is a strict height requirement of 5ft 9inches for girls and 6ft 1inches for boys. All dancers must have a strong technique, be flexible, have long legs and a pretty face. 

Lucy said she was delighted to be told soon after her audition that she had made the cut.

She said: "As a young girl growing up in Glasgow, I could only dream that I would be performing at the Moulin Rouge.

"There are thousands of dancers all over the world who would love this opportunity."

But all the dancers have to work hard for their place in the famous cabaret - best known as the spiritual birthplace of the Can-Can dance, which has been performed there every night since 1889.

Lucy said: "The rehearsal process for the French Can-Can was incredibly demanding. It is great fun to dance and hugely entertaining to watch with massive jump-splits, cartwheels and flips.

"We had two weeks of training when we first started and this involved doing the Can-Can for two hours a day.

"Most of the kicking is done with the right leg - so I would be walking around with a really sore leg.

"But it is worth it to get it perfect.

"And the dance tutors are so dedicated.

"You have a sense that the importance of the Moulin Rouge and the history really resonates with them and that is inspiring."

The original Moulin Rouge theatre, which burned down in 1915, was co-founded in 1889 by Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller, who also owned the Paris Olympia.

The aim was to allow artists, the middle classes, businessmen and foreigners passing through Paris to rub shoulders and the cabaret quickly became popular.

In 2001 it was the subject of a Baz Lurman blockbuster starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.

These days stepping into the lounge decorated with tables where visitors typically dine before watching the two hour show is like stepping back in time, Lucy explained.

Many of the original features have been retained including fabrics and paintings.

Back stage of the famous theatre is home to over 1000 individual costumes including more elaborate ones, decorated with lights and plumes of feathers made by Paris' Maison Février.

Many hang from rails on the ceiling ready to be brought down for very quick costume changes between scenes.

And all of the girl's shoes are handcrafted by shoemaker to the stars Maison Clairvoy.

Lucy said: "The costumes are amazing.

"Some are very heavy though, including the head dresses.

"There is one with pink feathers which lights up. "When you see all the dancers on stage it looks incredible."

The performers have a team of people who help them get ready and change outfits but they do their own make up after being given training on how to accentuate their features.

Lucy said the dancers are like "one big family" but she has a special affinity with fellow Scottish dancer Richard Rennie.

Richard, 30, from Aberdeen, has been part of the famous cabaret for five years. He is planning to leave soon to travel to LA to pursue dreams of becoming an actor.

Richard said: "We are so proud to be here flying the flag for Scotland."

Lucy added: "My friends and family have been fantastic and they have all been to Paris to see me perform.

"I like to go home to Glasgow when I can."

As far as the future goes, Lucy added: "I am very happy being part of the Moulin Rouge and living in Paris just now.

"The Moulin Rouge is very well respected within the industry so I am sure this will set me in good stead for the future."