This year marks 100 years since F. Scott. Fitzgerald’s beautiful book The Great Gatsby was released; following this, there have been many variations of the book published, re-imaginings, illustrated editions and graphic novels to name but a few. Not only this but as long as The Great Gatsby has been published, there have been many numerous adaptations too. At least 4 films that I know of, the phenomenal immersive production running in London (which I think I’ve mentioned I love more than enough times)…and now there is a new musical version on the scene. Gatsby: A Musical. And what an incredibly stunning musical adaptation it is.
As soon as the musical adaptation was announced, I knew I had to book. I only had to see the words ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘musical’ and I was sold and booked instantly. I love consuming any content regarding Gatsby I can, but I have never heard nor seen a musical adaptation so was really intrigued as to what I would watch. What I watched was an incredibly emotive and beautiful piece of theatre.
So, get yourself a drink. To no one’s surprise, I am sure – I have a lot to say. Let’s begin.
*Also in case it wasn’t obvious, this post will contain spoilers for the plot of The Great Gatsby. I would apologise but the book has literally been out for 100 years now*.
As I have touched on already, this is such a well known and well loved story; it is my favourite book. But this production tells this familiar story in a fresh new way that added a whole different perspective on things for me.
To start with, this production, both written and directed by Linnie Reedman, was staged in a completely unique way that I have never seen done before. This show actually starts at the end, after the events of the novel. The show starts with Daisy trying to find Gatsby 7 years after the car crash (the literal one, that is, not the metaphorical car crash when everyone goes to town…). The show then hops between the two time periods of the past – the events of the novel – and the ‘present’, which is Daisy looking for Gatsby, and the aftermath of the events of the car crash, not knowing what has happened to him.
This time hopping staging is something I really enjoyed, as I always have wondered what would have happened after the final page of the book. I think it was a bold decision to have made, but one that I thoroughly enjoyed and found really interesting to watch – especially as it is the first time I have ever seen it done. This also did give me some added respect for the character of Daisy, for her to return and try and find answers, and eventually take some responsibility, as opposed to in the book where she disappears for good, leaving others to deal with her actions.
That nicely leads me onto my next point. The musical had all the characters we know and love – with some new faces too. I found in this version of the story, I was looking at the characters I was familiar with previously, in a new light. Mainly, the characters of Daisy and Tom.
From any adaptation of The Great Gatsby, I’ve found that you can see that Tom Buchanan does love Daisy in some strange way of his own, despite his awful and inexcusable treatment of her; Liam Doyle’s portrayal of Tom cemented this love Tom has for Daisy, for me. In the way he was looking at her, whether she was looking at him or not; in the way he refuses to allow Myrtle to say her name (although arguably that can be from guilt, but that’s something for another post), to the way he sounded so heartbroken in Act Two, after Daisy tells Tom she never loves him; even when he decidedly tells Daisy he will fix things and look after her, post car crash. I’ve always had the belief that Tom does genuinely love Daisy despite it all, and Liam Doyle’s performance as Tom only hammered this point further home, and really made me look at and think about Tom Buchanan in a different way.
Furthermore, I am so touch and go as to whether I will like the character of Daisy in every adaptation I see. In this adaptation: I loved her. I loved seeing Jodie Steele put across Daisy as a character who has so much confusion with her own emotions; how she loves her husband, but also loves Jay. Through the show, I really felt the conflicting feelings Daisy experiences as she comes to terms with this. What especially put Daisy in a new light in this production for me, however, is what comes at the near end of the show: when Daisy calls herself a coward, when she admits she killed Myrtle Wilson, and at the very end – when she decides she will no longer remain married to Tom Buchanan and will make her own life. Daisy is a naive character, but she is also a character who previously has avoided responsibility for her actions and just let her husband deal with everything. The way Daisy has been written in this show, combined with Jodie Steele’s portrayal, has given me a newfound respect for her. It also massively improves the ending of Gatsby, an ending that never did sit right with me – staying with a controlling, manipulative and abusive husband, just because it’s easier than owning up to your mistakes and taking responsibility. The version of Daisy I saw in the musical was a breath of fresh air for me, and I loved her.
There is something else I want to briefly bring to attention that I loved, or rather someone, which is how perfectly the mystery shrouding My Jay Gatsby, portrayed by Ross William Wild, was captured. This is highlighted particularly with the song I Bet He Killed A Man, and even more so with how, whilst we see glimpses of Gatsby, he doesn’t appear properly until midway through Act One. I also liked the little added extra detail that, at times, Mr. Gatsby will be stood up on the balcony section of Cadogan Hall, watching his guests below him, who clearly have no idea he is there, nor who he even is. The intrigue about who Jay Gatsby really is, is such a big theme in the book and I am thrilled at how well this has translated across to the musical production.
Following this, I want to add that the entire cast of this show were, simply put: fantastic. Every role from every performer captured my heart and got me so invested in the show. Despite everyone being spaced out for social distancing measures, this did not act as a barrier for the emotions, nor were the performances of the show impacted. I was just so entranced by all the cast’s performances, and watching everyone put their heart and soul into the show, that I barely even noticed the spacing. I was just completely lost in the show and story being performed.
Musically, this show is beautiful. With music direction from Greg Arrowsmith and the music being arranged and orchestrated by Henry Brennan, it has perfectly captured the very essence of the 1920s. The music is reminiscent of that iconic style and sound of the 1920s swing music, but at the same time, it does not feel dated. I loved that there was an overture at the start of both acts, and loved even more that there were musicians positioned on stage. This really added to that feel of being at a real Gatsby party, watching the events unfold. Through the music and lyrics, courtesy of Joe Evans, I still got the feeling of fun and excitement in the more upbeat swing numbers, and the hope, love, despair and heartbreak in the slower numbers. Not only this – my heart was filled with so much love and happiness to hear so many direct quotes from the book in both the songs and the script. I adored getting to hear the story and the words I love so much being sung so beautifully and brought to life in this stunning musical format.
The staging itself, as I have already mentioned briefly, I can see has been clearly thought through, and it is so effective in ensuring emotions come across as intended. An example of this is when Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan are arguing – literally over – Daisy; having Daisy in between the two men she loves as they argue about who will be ‘looking after’ her from now on. This is a part I found so interesting to watch. I could feel the intensity and drama of the scene, and with this use of staging, this worked as a fantastic way to demonstrate the conflicting emotions Daisy feels for both these men as she is crushed between the two. In a similar theme to this, the use of Dominic Warwick’s lighting also grabbed my attention. I loved how the lighting directly reflected whatever was happening on stage; such as the use of shadows on stage when Mr Gatsby was the topic of conversation, or when the plot was thickening and getting darker. This contrasts the light and brighter colours for scenes where Daisy was the main focus point. Speaking of details, it’s common knowledge by now, I am sure, that I have a fondness for costumes. So I really appreciated that, thanks to costumes from Belle Mundi, every performer was dressed up to the nines in flapper dresses and suits to make me green with envy (we all know how much I want to dress like I’m in the 20’s all the time. Plus I just really want Nick Carroway’s hat…). Again, these added details and efforts that have been put into the show – such as lighting and costumes – all just work so well together to really bring this show to life.
And that brings us to the end! I honestly did not expect this show to have this effect on me, but it has absolutely captured my heart. A memorable production that I loved every second of from start to finish, and with the songs still circling around in my head. I really look forward to seeing what the future holds for this sublime musical.
To find out more information about Gatsby: A Musical: https://www.rubyinthedusttheatre.london/
One Show at a Time 