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| Jay Peardon as Jay Gatsby - Ryan Hodson as Nick Carroway in "The Great Gatsby" |
Written and
produced by Aaron Robuck – Executive Producer:
Aden Levin.
Directed by
Beth Daly - Designed by Brendan de la Hay
Wonderland
Bar, Bayswater Road, Potts Point until 26th June 2022.
Performance
on 20th February reviewed by Bill Stephens.
It’s not
every day a reviewer is invited to review a show in a brothel. Well, to be
accurate, a former brothel. However, now re-purposed as Wonderland Bar, this
handsome heritage mansion, lavishly tarted-up by designer, Brendan de la Hay
provides the perfect environment for this intriguing production of “The Great
Gatsby” which offers an immersive experience that doesn’t depend on technology.
Limited in
number to 40 patrons, the audience is invited to dress in the period of the
play. On arrival each is offered a complimentary glass of champagne before
being ushered into a series of rooms, spread over the three storeys of the
mansion, where they become voyeurs to the interactions of the actors.
For Aaron Robuck's clever adaptation of the familiar F.Scott Fitzgerald story, the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby is
played by recent WAAPA graduate Jay
Peardon. Tall and handsome, Peardon has a striking presence and confident
air of sophistication which makes him perfect casting for this role.
Ryan Hodson plays Nick Carroway, the naïve young
visitor from Minnesota whose unconventional friendship with Gatsby forms the
nucleus of the story. Hodson, who as
Carroway also narrates the story, manages to achieve an appealing balance
between naivety and curiosity for his character as he observes the decadent
behaviour of the hangers-on with whom Gatsby surrounds himself, as he too
becomes inexorably drawn into their shenanigans.
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| Jessica Redmayne as Daisy Buchanan - Jay Peardon as Jay Gatsby in "The Great Gatsby" |
Jessica Redmayne is also charismatic as Carraway’s
mysterious cousin Daisy Buchanan, who’s in love with Gatsby but married to the
controlling and immensely wealthy Tom Buchanan, played with a louche charm by Joshua Ralph McElroy
Among the
coterie of friends who surround Gatsby, Hannah
Raven is a stand-out as the sophisticated 1920’s new woman and competitive
golfer Jordan Baker. Alicia Rose Quinn is
also memorable as Tom Buchanan’s lover and flamboyant burlesque performer,
Myrtle Wilson, who enlivens one of the parties with a spectacular strip routine
performed in front of a giant mirror.
Various
other characters, including entertainers at the parties, are performed with
panache by Adam Di Martino, Kristina
McNamara, Cody Ross and Sebastian Nelson.
Hanna Raven - Ryan Hodson -Joshua Ralph McElroy - Jay Peardon in "The Great Gatsby"
What separates this production from usual restaurant concepts is that the actors
take their roles seriously so that it is possible to get caught up in the
story. All admirably maintain concentration, despite the close proximity of the audience,
only occasionally interacting in character with the audience as a fellow guest at one of the parties, or perhaps gently requesting someone
to vacate one of the impressive velvet
lounges or antique furniture props they may have inadvertently occupied when
it is needed for the performance. Otherwise audience participation is minimal
and discreet.
Production values are excellent, as is the direction and the performances, making “The Great Gatsby” highly recommended for anyone interested in experiencing a unique, unusual and highly enjoyable theatrical experience.
The Cast of "The Great Gatsby"
This review also published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW. www.artsreview.com.au
