London Coliseum Shines with Gatsby’s Sparkle: A Mixed Bag of Opulence and Depth

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby” is a monumental work in American literature, and it’s not hard to see why. It explores themes like the American Dream, social class, excess, and femininity (you can tell I’ve been using SparkNotes!). For the past 100 years, its allure has captivated Western readers without fail.

To summarize, reproducing it for any format isn’t a simple task. Therefore, is the recently presented West End version approved? The answer is both yes and no.

In essence, making it work for any platform requires effort. So, does the latest adaptation on the West End pass muster? Well, it has some approval but also some reservations.

As a movie critic, I found myself utterly captivated by Marc Bruni’s musical adaptation. It gleams with glitter, sparkles with opulence, and quite frankly, showcases a level of mastery that is nothing short of remarkable. This production mirrors the extravagant lifestyles of the nouveau riche characters who populate Gatsby’s world in an almost eerie fashion, leaving no doubt that I was immersed in the glamorous, gilded age.

The colors, attire, and overall atmosphere were flawlessly done – just as lively and bubbly as a flute of champagne – largely due to an outstanding cast who danced, moved, and Charleston-ed around the stage like a fun-loving crowd at a party, which they clearly portrayed.

As a passionate movie buff, I can’t help but express my heartfelt applause for the remarkable duo behind the scenes – Dominique Kelley, the choreographer, and Linda Cho, the costume designer. These two artists played an instrumental role in making the show shine with its dazzling allure. It was evident why their Broadway work deserved a Tony Award; they truly outdid themselves!

Among the main characters, Corbin Bleu from High School Musical particularly stood out as Nick Carraway for me. Although Nick’s narrator role was scaled down in the stage adaptation, Bleu managed to make his character feel pivotal throughout the performance. His portrayal took us through Nick’s transformation from innocence to being ensnared by the alluring party scene, only to be pushed back out again due to the show’s heart-wrenching events. In the end, he effectively conveyed the play’s moral lesson.

Opposite him stood Amber Davies, a former Love Island contestant, who proved to be an impressive co-actor. She brought to life the character of Jordan Baker, portraying her as bold, free-spirited, and unapologetic. Her performance was marked by a strong attitude and some of the most captivating songs to sing.

bubbly yet sorrowful at times, while Jamie Muscato admirably took on the role of Jay Gatsby himself.

With great ease, Muscato skillfully combined charisma, boldness, and vulnerability in his role, making him especially charming when revealing his apprehension about meeting Daisy for the first time. Regrettably, our initial interaction with him was less than captivating as he began discussing his plans for Daisy straightaway, giving off an overly possessive and eerie vibe instead of a captivating rogue’s allure.

Several problems with the musical emerge here. Removing much of the flashiness, like Gatsby himself, left an empty feeling instead of filling the void. Even though there were numerous conversations and songs about “new money,” and a focus on characters George and Myrtle Wilson, superbly portrayed by Joel Montague and Rachel Tucker, the show failed to delve deeply into themes such as class and perspective.

In the initial act, it was quite evident that it lacked originality. Due to an inconsequential series of tunes that were hard to remember, the musical seemed like a generic interpretation of The Great Gatsby rather than a masterpiece that truly captured the novel’s and its protagonist’s enigma. It might have benefited from more dialogue exchanges and moments of introspection during the action to fully explore the mystique of the story.

Nevertheless, the second act significantly delved deeper, revealing Tom Buchanan’s rough personality and elitist attitudes, which led to heated discussions about wealth and pedigree. Furthermore, it provided a glimpse into the challenging decisions women were forced to make during that era.

As a film enthusiast, I found Gatsby’s untimely demise to be surprisingly fitting – a poignant reminder of the superficiality that pervaded his world. The way his guests merely chuckled, exchanged whispers, and carried on as if nothing had happened, encapsulates the vacuity of their existence perfectly.

As I pen down this tale, everything comes full circle, beautifully echoing the initial scene with a haunting sight of Gatsby gazing over the dock. And here’s my vow – to keep this grand spectacle alive, night after night, in the heart of the West End.

When and where can I see The Great Gatsby Musical?

The musical will be staged at London’s Coliseum from the 11th of April to the 7th of September, 2025, with performances scheduled for Wednesdays through Mondays.

The Coliseum is quite close to Trafalgar Square, and you can reach it conveniently by taking the Bakerloo or Northern lines at Charing Cross station, as well as the Piccadilly and Northern lines at Leicester Square station.

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2025-04-25 16:42