Like a familiar friend The Great Gatsby roared onto The Coliseum’s stage. Aim set and hearts a ready, we all looked to the stage for that green light.

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With a Fosse twist and a nod to those that came before. Right from the opening number, this show gives us everything. 

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Visually it is beautiful. Bringing Broadway to London’s Westend. With multimedia sets that draw us into the fantasy and the fall. The opulence of the Buchanan household is created using a fabulous set of graphics as well as physical stage pieces. With high walls, large windows, a golf course. The old money aesthetic is creatively established. Gatsby’s castle is envisioned in a similar but mostly digital way. Adding to the mirage that is his success.

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Corbin Bleu opens the show as Nick Caraway. Proving that back in 2007 he definitely lied to us all. The man does dance. Sorry. Couldn’t resist. Had to get at least one High School Musical reference in… - anyway… Corbin’s performance in this is enchanting. From his vocals to his moves, it is fantastic to see him on the Westend stage!​

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Frances Mayli McCann’s  Daisy Buchanan is the perfect combination of “babe you should leave your husband, wait no, let’s hear her out…” throughout the show. If you do have any warm feelings towards the character, you will shake them long before the end. As they become pity and sharply turn into disappointment. Daisy is not a likeable lady. However Frances Mayli McCann is a spectacular actress. Bringing so much life to this refrigerated character. Vocally powerful, I cannot wait to see her in more shows! 

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Amber Davies bursts in as Jordan Baker. As the character so rightfully should! Portraying the power and presence this one female character seemingly has. A polar opposite to the wedded mother lover Daisy. Amber Davies portrays Jordan’s single and  ready to mingle, but not marry, nature with every note.​

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Jamie Muscato, as always was incredible in his role. Perfectly cast as the Westend’s J Gatsby. Vocally outstanding. And his Gatsby, perfectly detestable. Yet you still end up wanting him to get the girl! Urgh. Perhaps they did on some level deserve each other… 

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Jon Robyn’s Tom Buchanan is… abhorrent. And Jon plays it very well. I will always find it difficult to watch a character like Tom Buchanan. Thinking, he’s going to unalive his wife, daughter and girlfriend in the next scene... ​​

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Rachel Tucker brings so much life Myrtle Wilson. Even though she is playing the most refrigerated character of the piece. Her skill is incredible. I found myself hoping she  would appear more. Her solo number One - Way Road had me going through all of the emotions. There she was. Running to the Plaza Hotel, when all she really needed was a hug…

 

For me this show is what the Westend has been missing. Something old, but something new. Something powerful, with a broadway tune. Exuding energy that matches that of the classic American Musicals. 

 

I was so excited to see The Great Gatsby Musical and I am still excited to see it again.

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Such a big thank you to both Emily & Jocelyn for inviting me.