The Great Gatsby

Stalled by the pandemic and lockdowns in 2020, the Middle School’s production of the The Great Gatsby finally took to the stage at the end of Term 1.

As soon as audience members stepped into the foyer of the PAC, they were immersed in the era of the 1920’s – an illegal Speakeasy made all the more authentic by the Bootlegging Beverages on offer! The Great Gatsby commenced in this setting of ill-repute, with audience members held at gun-point as they watched Gatsby’s ‘Goy-juss Goils’ burn up the carpet with a rousing rendition of Sweet Georgia Brown – it was all flappers, fishnets and feathers!

Upon entering the theatre, hiding drinks from the patrolling Temperance Police, the audience was treated with a further big number to open the show, The Charleston, and the magical set design of Mark Wager which brought all of the famed settings of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s best-selling novel to life: Daisy’s dock with the blinking green light, the Valley of the Ashes and Dr Eckleburg’s glasses, Gatsby’s yellow car, the wall of shirts, and even Gatsby’s swimming pool where he meets his unfortunate end at the hands of a crazed George Wilson. Adding to the visual spectacular were the stunning costume designs of Jennifer Bennie which saw all of the girls in at least four different 1920’s gowns throughout the show (imagine the excitement!) and even recreating Gatsby’s infamous pink suit. Nathan Bosmans (Year 9) played the charismatic and mysterious Jay Gatsby with confidence and panache, bringing the romantic self-made millionaire who longs for the past to the stage with conviction and style. The all-important narrator of the piece, Nick Carraway, was assuredly brought to life by Raphael Champion (Year 9) who captured the innocent wonder and later disappointment of the character superbly. Jonty Neil (Year 9) played very much against type in launching Tom Buchannan, the womanizing, hard-drinking bully into the glamorous Long Island setting with much authority and control. The female cast was beautifully led by the stunning Madeleine McGregor (Year 8) playing the gorgeous but careless Daisy Buchannan, Amelie Hubert (Year 9) who captured the cynicism and allure of Jordan Baker splendidly, Evangeline Vamvakaris (Year 8) vamping it up as Tom’s sultry mistress, Myrtle Wilson, and Emmanuelle D’Adamo (Year 9) who brought a kooky originality to the absurd neighbor Lucille McKee. The ensemble cast all worked together seamlessly to bring raucous scenes of gangsters, parties and general 1920’s debauchery to life.

Like the famed ‘boats against the current’ the cast ‘beat on’, never losing hope in the face of 2020’s COVID restrictions, and were incredibly excited to finally bring The Great Gatsby to life in March of 2021. As Director, it is always so gratifying to see your dream of a year or so in the making finally come to fruition – The Great Gatsby has been one of my all-time favorite shows, and I loved every minute of its creation, from the Sunday dance rehearsals to the Zoom acting rehearsals, and the sourcing of the fabulous jazz music to help set the scene in the much-fun-to-decorate Speakeasy. ‘Can’t repeat the past? Why, of course you can!’

Mrs Penelope Wood

Director, English and Film Teacher