The Great Gatsby – Leeds Grand Theatre

Director and Choreographer: David Nixon CBE

Co-Director: Patricia Doyle

Music: Sir Richard Rodney Bennett CBE

Based on the novel by: F. Scott Fitzgerald

“All I kept thinking about, over and over, was ‘You can’t live forever; you can’t live forever.'”

Ten years after its premier, Northern Ballet bring The Great Gatsby home to Leeds to a packed audience, proving that the above quote from the novel might not be true. This ballet certainly might, if the enthusiasm of its audience is anything to go by.

It’s the text everyone studied in High School or College (except, unfortunately, your reviewer!) and since it’s inception this 1920s tale of decadence and deceit has had many a stage and screen outing. It’s a timeless tale of lost love, torrid affairs and intense passion. Audience surrogate Nick (Sean Bates) tells the tale of titular Jay Gatsby (Joseph Taylor) and his undying love for Daisy (Dominique Larose), the one that got away when he was dragged off to fight in World War 1. Now he is home, has grown rich through some shady business deals, and wants her back. Unfortunately Daisy has since got married and had a child with Tom (Gavin McCaig). Who is having an affair with Myrtle (Amber Lewis). Who is married to George (George Liang). Who is entirely innocent in all of this.

Even without knowing a single thing about the novel, Northern Ballet’s The Great Gatsby effortlessly conveys the plot so that novice and expert alike can enjoy the story. Each character is so well executed that you know exactly who they are without them having to utter a single word. The dancers convey it all through their face and bodies – the flighty romance of Daisy, the naïve glee of Nick, the possessive masculinity of Tom. It’s wonderful to watch. David Nixon’s fantastic choreography whisks the audience away to the roaring 1920s, blending pirouettes and Charlestons into a fascinating hybrid that never gets old no matter how many party scenes there may be (and there are a lot…). Nixon is also responsible for the beautiful costumes, evoking the era perfectly (although when has there ever been a ballet without a smorgasbord of beautiful costumes?).

The set is mostly the classic Northern Ballet ‘hang some movable slabs from the rigging’ but the flat white rectangles work wonderfully in this case, making the characters appear and disappear as if with the turn of a page. Kudos must be given to set designer Jérôme Kaplan here. Less successful is a full stage, semi-reflective window used in a couple of Daisy and Gatsby’s romantic duets however. The idea is lovely, but the reflections distort like fun house mirrors, making things a little comical. Unless this is the point? The love of Gatsby is distorted – it is stalkerish and obsessive, scary through a modern lens, not the pure romance we are supposed to believe (a fact pointed out by many a ham-fisted analytical A Level essay, it can be sure). Either way, it’s distracting and takes away from the poignant scenes.

With The Great Gatsby, Northern Ballet have created a modern classic of a modern classic. A very enjoyable night of ballet, to be equally enjoyed by those new to the genre and those who have been watching it for the past decade. One to take your teen to if they’re studying the text, or equally one to see just because it’s a beautiful night out.

Runs until 18 March 2023.