The Dolphin Inn, Theatr Clwyd, Yr Wyddgrug – until August 27th 2023
Reviewed by Julie Noller
5*****
A warm welcome awaits you with return of the immersive fun and lively rip roaring 1920’s co –production by Theatr Clwyd and Guild of Misrule – The Great Gatsby.
We lined up in our finery as 1920’s attire whilst not compulsory is part of the fun, it creates the performer in each and every one of us as we merge to become part of the cast. Admitted in small groups for our safety brief we were advised to switch off mobiles after all who used a smart phone in a speakeasy.
The use of the derelict Dolphin is genius it immediately looks, feels and smells like a speakeasy, its dark and the high street outside is quickly forgotten as we queue to order our drinks within Gatsby’s drugstore, it’s easy to imagine a bright yellow Rolls Royce car with its shiny chrome parked outside.
We are soon approached by 2 characters the colourful Myrtle (Siobhan Bevan) and bold George (Tom Figgins) and we immediately feel calmer and giggle as I’m asked a question I never dreamed I’d be asked, ‘have you been to one of Mr Gatsbys parties before?’ why no but I’m so looking forward to the night. The evening begins with a rousing jazz number, before Nick Carraway (Jack Hammett) delivers an opening monologue that F. Scott Fitzgerald would have been proud to hear, it’s faultless and draws you in further before the delightful yet rowdy Jordan (Seren Vickers) appears and beckons us through to the dance hall; the décor is enchanting, it isn’t quite 20th century fox billions of dollars bright and opulent but it is easily a speakeasy cum mansion party palace.
We are treated to dance lessons, encouraged to join in with singing, this is the era of anything goes especially the bootleg liquor. The fun and interactive parts of the evening soon become apparent as performers approach members of the audience whispering and often dividing us; taking us through secret doorways and up stairs, we are not all privy to what exactly goes on behind those doors but that’s real life versus onscreen isn’t it? You don’t witness everything at a party but you are often aware that something is afoot.
Where though is the man of the hour, where is Gatsby? The lights cut through the smoke to catch a man stood watching, sharply dressed, enjoying the reaction his presence brings. Richard Mciver brings warmth and humility to the role of Jay Gatsby yet he seems vulnerable in the face of all his achievements the fact he was never good enough for his one and only love Daisy (Bethan Rose Young) has left him seeking approval by his peers yet gaining the disapproval and vitriol of Tom (Troy Marcus Richards) who I had to remind myself not to boo.
We all know the story of Gatsby, first love and last love, lives tragically lost amid jealous rage and grief alike so lets not dwell on that but the pure enjoyment of not watching the story unravel but living it, watching it, feeling it. The joy of sipping bootleg gin, laughing, dancing, offering advice to Jay Gatsby in his boudoir imagine actually telling him that love will find a way. Not to mention slipping a card to the bartender and receiving a betting slip with cash actually made my night.
It’s easy to miss parts of the story as your eyes dart everywhere and you wonder what others get up to when they’re gone. I guess I’ll have to shake off the glitter dress, pull on the gloves and add a few more pearls to go again, for I really want to sample the delightful world of Jay Gatsbys parties again and again.
It’s a brilliant concept by Theatr Clwyd to take the theatre out of the theatre and into real life. I just hope there are more plans for more immersive theatre it simply is out of this world.