One of Cardiff’s longest running s theatre companies, Everyman Theatre will bring The Great Gatsby to Chapter Arts Centre this week.
Launching the company’s 2018 season, the play, a classic fable of America, the Jazz Age, enchantment and illusions, is adapted for the stage by Simon Levy, It is the only version to be authorised by the Fitzgerald Estate and rarely staged and believed to be a first in Wales.
Rehearsals for Everyman Theatre’s The Great Gatsby to be staged at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. Photos by Helen J Rose Photography
On New York’s Long Island, in the heady, indulgent days of the 1920s, the narrator Nick Carraway (Chris Williams) comes to know his infamous neighbour Jay Gatsby (Shane Rose-Goodsir) – a mysterious millionaire with a secret past and a penchant for lavish parties.
Remaining faithful to the spirit and language of the original, this adaptation brings to life several memorable characters – roles already made famous on screen by Leonardo Dicaprio, Carey Mulligan, Mia Farrow and many others.
Richard Miltiadis takes on the role of the hulking, super-rich Tom Buchanan, husband to Daisy (Elin Edwards) – a character allegedly based on F Scott Fitzgerald’s own wife, the mercurial Zelda Fitzgerald. Daisy’s best friend the socialite, pro-golfer Jordan Baker will be played by Vicky Walters and Tom’s lover, the sensual Myrtle Wilson, by Rhiannon Rose-Goodsir.
Narrator Nick bears witness to the excess of the American Dream in this tale of impossible love, dreams and tragedy.
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The playwright Simon Levy insists that scenes within the play overlap, linger, with characters and set disappearing and appearing fluidly like a fairy-tale or dreamscape. The Great Gatsby promises to be a stunning retelling of one of the most compelling stories of the twentieth century.
Director Jackie Hurley says it had always been a dream to direct Fitzgerald’s acclaimed work.
“The Twenties were a beautiful age and for me,” says Jackie, ” I couldn’t believe that we haven’t seen a production of this iconic story in Wales before. It’s going to be a very glamorous tale of its time, after all – this was the Roarin’ Twenties, with fast cars, newly invented telephones, aeroplanes, hot jazz and illegal liquor. See you at the Gatsby party.”
- The Great Gatsby runs at Chapter Arts Centre from Tuesday 27 February until Saturday March 3 and will run each evening at 7.30pm (with an additional matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday).
- For ticket details visit everymantheatre.co.uk