Baz Luhrmann turns a train into a theatrical set on rails: the $20,000-per-trip luxury carriage “Celia”
21:30 13 May, 2026Film director Baz Luhrmann has once again brought his signature maximalist aesthetic to life — this time not on screen, but in a real-world setting. In collaboration with designer and wife Catherine Martin, he has created a luxury carriage for the iconic British Pullman train operated by Belmond, transforming travel into a full theatrical experience, Robb Report reports.
The new carriage, named Celia, is a moving stage designed for private dinners, parties, and exclusive events. Its interiors are crafted to fully immerse passengers in Luhrmann’s distinctive visual universe — richly layered, highly decorative, and deliberately theatrical.
The concept is based on a fictional 1930s West End actress who is said to have been gifted her own Pullman carriage after a celebrated performance as Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This narrative runs through every design element, from wall finishes to decorative motifs.
The interior features tri-color marquetry panels depicting English landscapes and scenes featuring the fictional character, velvet curtains that divide the space into dining and bar areas, and fabric-lined ceilings that enhance acoustics and create a chamber-theatre effect. The parquet flooring evokes a forest-like atmosphere, while floral details reference Titania’s symbolic imagery.
Every detail was developed to meet the aesthetic standards of Luhrmann and Martin, whose cinematic work — from Moulin Rouge! to The Great Gatsby and Elvis — has defined a recognisable visual language of excess and stylisation. In this project, their style is translated from screen to reality without compromise, turning the space into what feels like a continuing film set.
The carriage accommodates around 12 guests and is designed for private experiences ranging from fine dining to dance parties and live performances. According to Belmond, guests are provided with a dedicated experience curator, bespoke seasonal menus, and a custom cocktail list created specifically for Celia by a master mixologist.
The British Pullman departs from London and runs daytime journeys through the English countryside, preserving the atmosphere of historic rail travel. However, Celia elevates the experience into something more — a moving private club and theatrical production in motion.
Rental costs start at approximately £15,000 per journey (around $20,500), underscoring its positioning as an ultra-exclusive experience for a very select clientele.
Ultimately, Celia becomes more than a design project — it is an extension of Luhrmann’s creative universe, where the boundaries between cinema, stage, and reality dissolve, and the journey itself becomes a performance.