The Great Gatsby: An Immersive Theatrical Production | Viral Ventures
What better way to end the year than to take a journey back to 1920’s New York City to experience the glitz, glamour and high life of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s blockbuster novel at The Great Gatsby: An Immersive Theatrical Production. Hidden in the middle of Newstead, Viral Ventures has recreated Fitzgerald’s world to give audiences an up close and personal experience of the games of the rich and richer. It’s both a great adaptation of Gatsby, as well as a chance to enjoy entertainment themed on the novel, which will appeal to both lovers of theatre and cabaret.
Aaron Robuck and the team at Viral Ventures have created a fresh new take on Gatsby that’s sure to delight both lovers of the story and those who love a good 20’s themed party. After a brief introduction to the show’s format by Robuck, the audience is dropped into the world of the novel, all being given the role of the narrator Nick Carroway. Throughout the show the rest of the cast intermittently interacts with each of us as Nick, alongside performer Michael Cameron who plays Nick Carroway as well. Cameron’s Nick serves as our guide and narrator through the story, keeping the action moving and escorting us across eight intricately designed sets in the venue.
This simple twist to the format was really effective for me, immediately engaging me in the action. This seemed to really resonate with a number of punters who were all smiles and giggles when they were referred to directly or invited to partake in a small part of a scene. Nick Carroway is not one of fiction’s most active protagonists, so there wasn’t too much pressure to perform beyond a few words or gestures or simple actions. In this way, it was a great opportunity for punters to experience a show outside of the realm of traditional theatre, without too much pressure. My only qualm with the show is that it is sold as an immersive production, whereas for me it is more of a promenade style show with interactive elements. It is not a true’ Broad Encounters’-style choose-your-own-adventure immersive theatre production, but I can forgive them for this as I was completely taken by the world created by Viral Ventures. As well as this, creatives and critics are still trying to work out a sexy way to define the various types of theatre that breaks the fourth wall.
But it’s not all dramatics. Another great aspect of the show was to replace the typical intermissions with a visit to one of Gatsby’s parties, complete with bars, live music and dancers. Each intermission had a signature cocktail and performances and songs from Kristina McNamara, James Lee and Aaron Robuck, which really added to the atmosphere of the night. These two aspects of the format were a great touch that made the two and half hour performance fly by.
Further adding to the world created by Viral Ventures was the amazing set design by Brendan de la Hay. Seriously, the sets are on another level, a true feast for the senses. The team has spared no expense in creating a world that will transport the audiences into 1920s NYC across the eight rooms. I would recommend the show based on the production design alone.
The format was complemented by the fine performances of the cast as a whole. Michael Cameron’s Nick Carroway was a fine naive protagonist and narrator, played equal parts curious and disgusted by the games of the upper class that he’d been caught up in. Cody Ross’ George Wilson was added a broken desperation that gave the character some extra dimension. Kristina McNamara’s Myrtle Wilson was full of flirtation, ambition and desire. She played double duty leading the entertainment at Gatsby’s parties with gorgeous dance and burlesque routines. McNamara is definitely a talent to watch. James Lee also played double duty as Meyer Wolsheim and MCing and crooning up a storm at Gatbsy’s parties. His super charismatic host was a great MC for our intermissions.
Aleisha Rose’s turn as Daisy Buchanan was one of the highlights of the show. Rose bought to Daisy both the fragile, yet superficial socialite trying to down play her husbands moods and a tortured and hopeless romantic with Gatsby. She was a joy to watch. Joshua McElroy’s Tom Buchanan was all toxic masculinity, desire and repressed rage that didn’t let up all night. Kudos to McElroy for holding that energy for the entire show. Hannah Raven played Jordan Baker as trying to fight the detachment of her class, with a soft spot for Nick and just a little queer, which is how I’ve always read Jordan. Loved the interpretation. Rounding out the cast was Sebastian Nelson who played Gatsby on the night I attended, giving him the gravitas, and the hopeful romanticism he needed. Top work from the team.
With The Great Gatsby: An Immersive Theatrical Production Viral Ventures have created an engaging new take on the famous novel. It has something for all tastes, whether your a fan of the book or movie, love a good show or want to throw yourself into a 1920s themed night of action and entertainment. So, why not grab a couple of mates, get frocked up and get transported back in time for a night to remember?
'The Great Gatsby: An Immersive Theatrical Production' plays every Tuesday to Sunday in Newstead until 18 December in Newstead.
