Disclaimer: I wrote this review shortly after seeing the show for the first time and intended to share it after press night. When I saw the reviews, I initially decided not to publish it as my opinion largely contrasts with the majority. Now I have decided to share my review. The Great Gatsby is a book I love fiercely, so I want to share why I love this show so much. I am proud of what I have written (that is something I never say!), and after all, art is subjective, and everyone is entitled to their opinion. So, here is my review of The Great Gatsby musical. (You may want to get a drink. I had a lot to say).
The Great Gatsby is one of the most famous pieces of literature ever. Now, 100 years after its original publication, the popularity of this book is arguably only increasing, and with that popularity comes new adaptations – most recently, the Broadway musical. Opening on Broadway in 2024, the musical has now made its way across the pond and is currently making its European debut in London. Full of the glitz and glamour one would expect with Gatsby, and equally matched with the heartbreak and emotions that are so well rooted in the story, this is one musical that guarantees a splendid night out at the theatre.
Show: The Great Gatsby
Writer: Kait Kerrigan
Music: Jason Howland
Lyrics: Nathan Tysen
Director: Mark Bruni
Theatre: The London Coliseum
Runs until: September 7th 2025
Rating: ★★★★
Gatsby now feels like so much more than a name; it feels like a brand. Gatsby feels like the very definition of the 1920s time period – the relief of the great war being over, raucous celebrations and parties, a sense of living for every day when so many didn’t get that chance, but also the guilt and trauma that came from such a dark period that has now passed. This range of emotions is all brilliantly encapsulated in the book and many adaptations since; with The Great Gatsby, that same iconic story is being told, but now in a new way. To take such an iconic story that has been told countless times in countless ways and make it feel fresh is no easy feat, but The Great Gatsby has certainly brought the wow factor with this new stage show. Directed by Marc Bruni, The Great Gatsby absolutely hits the mark. Ravishing costumes, show-stopping choreography, glittering sets and music so beautiful, it is entrancing. This is a show that really has it all.
The cast is dazzling alone – Corbin Bleu leads the show as our narrator, Nick Carraway. As someone who has seen a plethora of Gatsby stage adaptations, I feel Bleu is one of the best Carraways to grace the stage; his understanding of this role is clearly one that runs deep. He expertly portrays Carraway’s inner turmoil of trying to reserve judgements yet being ashamed at the actions of the characters he is entangled with; furthermore, even though their relationship may feel somewhat rushed on stage, the chemistry between Bleu’s Carraway and Jamie Muscato’s Gatsby feels genuine and warm, which only makes the ending that much more sorrowful.
Jamie Muscato is a powerhouse of a performer, with a voice that commands attention; his portrayal of Jay Gatsby only serves as further proof of what a fantastic actor he is. To take a role so complex as Gatsby and bring so much vulnerability, hope, and desperation is not an easy feat, yet Muscato displays the emotional depth Gatsby has in a way that feels authentic and heartbreaking. His rendition of ‘For Her’ is mesmerising, and in the breathtaking number ‘The Past is Catching Up To Me’, the hope Gatsby is holding onto is palpable not only with Muscato’s brilliantly strong vocals but also his perfected acting choices.
Frances Mayli McCann ethereally takes on the role of Daisy Buchanan, nee Daisy Fey. Daisy is a tricky role to get right. At face value, Daisy is a rich and spoilt woman who is enjoying the pleasures of life with nothing to worry about bar her unfaithful husband; yet underneath this is another layer to the character, someone trapped within this life who is deeply unhappy and just existing. Displaying the multiple layers of Daisy is something McCann does effortlessly and with grace.
Similarly to Nick and Gatsby, the relationship between Daisy and Gatsby may feel somewhat rushed due to the pacing of the show, but the chemistry between McCann and Muscato is beautiful to watch, and the love and emotion is truly touching; ‘My Green Light’ is a particularly precious scene, and the pair display such tenderness throughout the musical, whilst also balancing the darker emotions that they are, for the duration of the events of the show, each other’s lifeboats.
Whilst Jon Robyns doesn’t get to display his vocals too much, he does get to demonstrate his fantastic acting, clearly differentiating a pompous, arrogant Tom Buchannan who has never had to fight for anything, compared to the furious and eventual shell shocked Tom who nearly lost everything from his wife to his reputation and more. It takes a special performer to take someone so unlikeable as Tom and make him someone enjoyable to watch on stage, yet Robyns has done just that. I found I especially liked watching Robyns’ reactions as Tom at the side of the stage to scenes featuring Daisy and Gatsby, to Myrtle and George. These small moments allowed the audience to see the humanity of Tom, the vulnerabilities he shuts down when he is the main focus of attention. The portrayal of this by Robyns just shows how accomplished an actor he is.
What was particularly interesting, was how the company displayed such fantastic acting after the show takes a turn and everything goes wrong; Muscato skillfully balanced Gatsby’s never ending love, desperation and hope for Daisy, to the frustration of Daisy’s refusal to leave Tom and her treatment of her husband, to his eventual resignation in his final breaths. There is never a shadow of a doubt that everything he does is all for Daisy, and she is all he has continued on for, so with the final scenes of the show, with Daisy retreating back to her life without Jay, it makes Muscato’s final scene that much more heartbreaking. His characterisation of Mr Gatsby is exemplary.
Bleu as Nick Carraway takes audiences on a real journey; the Nick we see at the start of the show, emotionally exhausted from the war and hopeful for a new start in life, the curious and intrigued Nick for the majority of the show, to the emotionally traumatised and horrified Nick at the end of the show after the events have unfolded and concluded are all starkly contrasted with each other artfully. His frailty and resignation in his final scenes are mere echoes of the version of Nick we see at the start of the show, truly showing Bleu’s skilled acting. Robyns’ reaction to the car crash was incredibly moving; Tom is not a character one can find much sympathy for, yet the raw emotion exhibited in that scene was harrowing to witness.
Whilst these principles are all stars in their own right, the entire company of The Great Gatsby are outstanding and worthy of all the praise. Gatsby is a hard piece to get right, yet everyone has done so exceptionally and should all be proud of the wondrous show they are putting on for lucky audiences every night.
The text of the show, courtesy of Kait Kerrigan, translates the book from page to stage perfectly. There is clearly an intricate understanding of the story and all the characters. ‘It’s Only Tea’ and ‘The Past Is Catching Up To Me’ are so very Gatsby in every fibre of their being, a true representation of his character and perfectly capturing his blind hope and longing, yet underlying undertones of fear, anxiety and desperation. ‘Beautiful Little Fool’ expertly demonstrates that Daisy is more than what she appears to be at face value. ‘One Way Street’ shows off what a wonderful voice Rachel Tucker has, yes, but Tucker’s performance and the song itself do more than that. It shows that Myrtle is not simply someone cheating on her husband; she is someone wanting so very much to be loved and appreciated and have a good life. Furthermore, the direct quotes from the book to the stage are used with real effect. Nick Carraway’s famous ‘So We Beat On’ line used in ‘New Money’ to foreshadow the story as a whole, and then repeated in is monologue in the last scene, with the reprise of ‘Roaring On’ is noteworthy in its own right; the final scene mirroring the first is deeply emotional and impactful.
The Great Gatsby has been brilliantly balanced between feeling like a golden, classic age style musical fitting with the period of the 1920s, whilst also feeling shiny, new and perfect for today. The choreography from Dominique Kelley is a work of art and dazzling to watch. There are Charlestons galore as is expected for the setting of the show, but also marvellous tap dancing and more. ‘New Money’, ‘Lah Dee Dah With You’ are incredible show-stopping numbers and an amazing sight to behold. The music throughout the show, courtesy of Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, also balances the feeling of classic yet new; the use of jazz music synonymous with the 20s, but also modern musical theatre styles woven in naturally, all come together and provide a simply stunning score.
I’ve seen many reviews saying the show is a lot of style but little substance. I can understand this point of view, but I could not disagree more. I personally feel that this show is a brilliant production of an iconic book, and is so very Gatsby to the Nth degree. And even if style and no substance was the case… isn’t Mr Gatsby himself more style than substance, a human personification of smoke and mirrors? He has this pretence of wealth and being a mysterious figure, yet take away his sparkles and mansion and parties…and he is just an ordinary man like the rest of us, but a man with so much heart to him.
The Great Gatsby is a marvel of a show. An exquisite production from the first to last note. Whilst it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, one thing is guaranteed – a high-energy show with a magnificent cast and a feast for the eyes. If you’re after a musical that you can lose yourself in and be transported back to the 1920s, well, then this show will do just that. The Great Gatsby is a captivating and spectacular show that is a feast for the eyes and ears.
The Great Gatsby musical runs at The London Coliseum until 7th September.
You can find out more about the show and buy tickets here: https://londoncoliseum.org/whats-on/the-great-gatsby/
One Show at a Time 