Baz Luhrmann Designed His Own Luxury Train Car, and It’s Just as Theatrical as You’d Expect

You can now take a ride into Baz Luhrmann’s mind.

The acclaimed Australian filmmaker has created a new private dining and events carriage on Belmond’s British Pullman, allowing travellers to experience his distinct theatrical style in real life rather than through a screen.

Luhrmann teamed up with Oscar-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin on the design. The longtime creative duo, who married in 1997, have worked together on several films, including Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, The Great Gatsby, and Elvis, to name but a few. Together, they have established a wonderfully extravagant aesthetic that’s been translated multiple times to the big screen. Their signature maximalism and polish have been artfully incorporated into the historic British train.

Christened Celia, the whimsical carriage is inspired by a fictional actress working in London’s West End at the height of the 1930s. The story is that she was gifted her own Pullman car following a legendary performance as Titania in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. That narrative is elegantly woven into every surface, material, and detail within the carriage.

The walls are lined with tri-colour marquetry panels depicting the English landscape and Celia as Titania. The pansy—Titania’s symbolic flower in the Shakespeare play—appears in textiles and carvings throughout. The parquet floor further adds to that forest feel. Dramatic velvet curtains evoke the old-world luxury of the original 1932 carriage, while separating the dining room and cocktail bar. The ceiling is also covered with fabric, adding more opulence and enhancing live acoustics for performances in the entertainment space. Every element was created bespoke to Luhrmann and Martin’s exacting standards. The duo even selected the signature scent that emanates within.

The entirely self-contained private carriage can comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests for everything from fancy dinners to theatrical performances to dance parties. From the moment guests make a booking, they will have direct access to a personal experience curator—a new addition that was created specifically for Celia guests, according to Belmond. Those onboard can also enjoy an exclusive cocktail list curated by a master mixologist and custom menus featuring the finest seasonal produce from across Britain. Dedicated stewards will also be on hand.

Launching in early summer, Celia can be booked on all British Pullman journeys. The train primarily departs from London Victoria Station, offering several day trips across the British countryside. Rates for exclusive use of the Celia carriage start at 15,000 pounds, or about US$20,500 at the current exchange rate.

This story was originally published on Robb Report USA.

Photos courtesy of Ludovic Balay/Belmond