FESTIVAL THEATRE, EDINBURGH – UNTIL 23rd APRIL
REVIEWED BY RACHEL FARRIER
5*****
This is a visually stunning ballet production of the classic early twentieth century novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, staged by Northern Ballet and choreographed by David Nixon. I was intrigued (and perhaps a little sceptical) to see how the novel would translate into this format, but this production does it magnificently.
The score, by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett and performed here by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia, is achingly beautiful and brilliantly incorporates the tone and style that we now associate with the 1920s. This is mirrored by the incorporation of ballroom dances (such as the Charleston) into the already stunning ballet choreography, and gorgeous costumes which convey the decadence of the monied classes of that era.
The beautiful and clever set design and lighting underpin the production, in particular the use of large ‘windows’ across the stage which enable flashbacks and memories of the main characters to be conveyed, as well as creating an effective inside/outside.
The entire ensemble impressed with energy and accuracy, but the performances in particular from Saeka Sharai as Daisy Buchanan and Riku Ito as Jay Gatsby are simply outstanding, in particular the scenes in which they dance alone together. There is skill and precision to their performance of the beautiful choreography, but also some impressive acting – the audience feels the full range of emotions along with the characters as they swing from joyous and passionate to anxious and tragic. Harris Beattie also delivers a stand out performance as garage mechanic George Wilson – he conveys the frustration and heartbreak of his character with a rare physicality and energy. There is something spell binding about a seemingly stereotypical macho character dancing across the stage with a tender violence, using a tyre as a graceful prop.
Whether you are a ballet aficionado or not, this is a captivating ballet with an outstanding ensemble, which will both entertain and move you.