"The Great Gatsby" by F Scott Fitzgerald.
Adapted by Elizabeth Newman.
In West Egg, newcomer Nick Carraway encounters his enigmatic neighbour, Jay Gatsby, who hosts lavish parties in a bid to impress the elite. Gatsby, a self-made millionaire with a mysterious past, longs to reunite with his lost love, Daisy Buchanan, who just so happens to be married to Tom Buchanan, who is cheating on her with Myrtle.
As Nick and Gatsby grow closer, a poignant story of unfulfilled dreams and the relentless pursuit of happiness begins to unfold. Daisy, torn between Gatsby and her unfaithful husband Tom, is forced to make heart-wrenching choices that lead to a devastating conclusion after a boozy afternoon out with Tom, Gatsby, Carraway and Jordan.
David Rankine plays Nick Carraway, the easy going Narrator of the story and a writer. Carraway opens the show and we see him sitting in a bar trying to find a conclusion to the story that we then see unfolding on stage. Carraway concludes the narration in the final scene and confirms the ending to his story.
Celeste Collier plays Myrtle, desperately seeking a better life than the one she has. She feels imprisoned in her marriage to George so leads a secret life as Tom Buchanan's mistress.
Tyler Collins is Tom Buchanan. Wonderfully imposing and arrogant and ready to step outside to fight for the love of his wife, Daisy, against Gatsby. He doesn't have to get physical with Gatsby though as he discovers something that resolves his solution. Buchanan is a bully who uses his fists on his wife, especially when she calls him to order after seeing him getting cosy with Myrtle at one of Gatsby's soirees.
Fiona Wood is Daisy Buchanan, the torn between two lovers Debutante flapper and Carraway's cousin. We see a lovely feeling of mixed emotions once she has been found out by husband Tom, but who will she choose? Well, she doesn't have to choose as something happens that takes that option out of her hands.
April Nerissa Hudson plays Jordan Baker, Carraway's gorgeous girlfriend. Here lies another sad ending for this relationship, but not as tragic as other relationships in this story.
Leah Jamieson plays Catherine, a minor character, she is the sister of Myrtle Wilson, Tom Buchanan's mistress.
Oraine Johnson plays Jay Gatsby, a cool character but with shady business connections, obsessed with Daisy whom he had met when he was a young military officer stationed at the Army's Camp Taylor in Louisville during World War I. Gatsby may be cool but Oraine has some pretty cool moves himself in the choreography department.
Jerome Lincoln is Wolfsheim Jnr, which seems to be a new character in this adaptation as in the original book Wolfsheim was Gatsby's business associate who was involved in shady deals.
George Wilson owns a run down garage and is completely unaware of his wife Myrtle's infidelities. He is disliked by both his wife, Myrtle, and Tom Buchanan, who describes him as "so dumb he doesn't know he's alive". Wilson is played by Louis Newman.
The majority of the cast also provide the live jazz music and vocals overlooking the stage. They also play all the interim characters that revolve around this classic story, which involves a few quick costume changes, especially for Louis Newman.
Directed by Sarah Brigham with Associate Director being Laura Ryder. I last saw "The Great Gatsby" about nine years ago - I've also seen a ballet version of it - and this adaptation brings a real fresh and enjoyable feel to the story.
Musical Director is Shonagh Murray and while this isn't a musical, it's a play with plenty of brilliant 1920's style music in it, including some music not from the specific era, but played with a 1920's jazz twist.
The set and costume design is by Jen McGinley. Two sweeping staircases at either side of the main stage section provide elegance, as well as allowing the actors to make their way up to the area where the instruments are played. The back section of the set cleverly opens up to allow Gatsby's car to emerge, as well as giving depth for the Buchanan's home. And all designed in the best possible taste for the era. Needless to say the costumes are absolutely gorgeous, oozing with style.
Lighting Designer is Emma Jones and Ivan Stott's sound design all add to the atmosphere and creates style.
It has been a long time since I've read the book or seen the play version of this F Scott Fitzgerald classic, and this adaptation and design makes it feel like this was the first time that I'd seen this on stage. Even though I know the story, what happens, the characters and the ending, it still left me completely engrossed in the story all over again, especially with the added music and choreographed 1920's dances.
"The Great Gatsby" is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 25 October.
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