The Great Gatsby – Sheffield Lyceum

The Sheffield Lyceum hosts former Artistic Director of the Northern Ballet, David Nixon’s, The Great Gatsby this week. Nixon’s creation, with his responsibility for the Choreography, Direction, Scenario and Costume Design, co-directed by Patricia Doyle, has been ten years since its premier in 2013. With its lavish sets and its Chanel inspired sumptuous costumes you are transported back into F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jazz era, the Roaring 20’s and his thematic novel of human follies, love, desire, hope and the struggle with time and fate.

And for those unfamiliar with the 1925 novel or the cinematic version starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the story is told from the unreliable narrative viewpoint of Nick Carraway (Daisy’s Cousin) danced superbly by Filippo Di Vilio. We follow the protagonist Jay Gatsby (formerly Jimmy Gatz), a man who orders his life around one desire: to be reunited with Daisy (now married to Tom Buchanan) the love he lost five years earlier. Gatsby’s quest leads him; in questionable ways; from poverty to wealth, into the arms of his beloved and eventually to death.

I personally, am very familiar with the novel, so was able to follow the story with little problem, however my theatre partner; being much less familiar; found himself very grateful for the episodic breakdown of the storyline in the programme. I do advise you use this to aid your understanding.  The novel is not an easy read and is complicated due to the fact that no one, including the narrator, tells the truth, the characters lie to each other and to themselves. But the plot works because none of the characters are capable of living in reality. This adds to the complexity of telling the story through ballet. Whilst the Jazz era and the themes beautifully loan themselves to the dance format, the already obscure clarity of the story is further distorted with the lack of narrative dialogue. 

However, this said, Northern ballet go a very long way to making the audience experience the mood, the required tone and themes within the eternal story. The vast set echo’s the disparity between the Familial wealth of East Egg and the Noveau riche of West Egg and the Valley of Ashes – the area reserved for the poorest citizens. Whilst stark at times, Jerome Kaplan’s set hold much of the themes within its structure – from mirrors to stone walls each part adding to the meaning of the dance.

Richard Rodney Bennett CBE dazzling score is performed by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Jonathon Lo, Leader Geoffrey Allen. Whilst it mostly underscores, heightens and hones the illusion on stage and, it is dominant in the party scenes as it should have been in the Jazz era. I do feel it occasionally it overpowered, in more emotive exchanges.

The ensemble is exquisite, particularly in the party scenes and this choreography is wonderful, full of iconic dance moves, storytelling, fun and tone. The Pas du Deux and Pas du Trois are magical with an airborne quality and beautifully executed technique. But my personal highlight has to be the choreography and execution of the role of George Wilson danced by Harris Beattie, watch out for the emotive use of the tyre in the Garage scene. The movement between Rachael Gillespie as Myrtle Wilson and Beattie as her husband, George, is both grounded and earthy and purposely juxtaposes the pretence of the Daisy (Sarah Chun) and Gatsby (Jonathon Hanks) more ethereal movement. It is the detail such as this that elevates this performance above many ballets I have seen.

The Great Gatsby is at the Sheffield Lyceum until Saturday 25 th March 2023. Immerse yourself at Jay Gatsby’s Long Island Mansion, with the young, the rich and the beautiful indulge in glitzy parties in the prohibition era. Witness as they ricochet, searching, through romance – glamorously and with champagne in hand.  But it’s all an illusion isn’t it? Like the American Dream…. the hope remains, always just out of reach, and their searching turns to tragedy.

An evening of escapism with beguiling ballet and glitzy glamour – a creative collaboration that creates a kaleidoscope.

Playing until 25th March, https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/lyceum

Reviewer: Tracey Bell

Reviewed: 21st March 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★