top of page

PRESS: THE GREAT GATSBY debuts at Cape Town’s most beloved theatre space!

Cape Town Theatre Company

 

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther … And one fine morning — So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

The Cape Town Theatre Company and Claremont Dramatic Society presents the iconic tale of Jay Gatsby, as he grasps desperately at the failing illusions of The American Dream.


From the uniquely imaginative mind of director Neil Leachman comes the new theatrical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel THE GREAT GATSBY. This adaptation is a deconstructed, avant-garde staging of the classic tale, celebrating the themes of the much loved novel in a contemporary tempo. THE GREAT GATSBY follows Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz, bootleg kings, and sky-rocketing stocks. Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super-rich, their illusions, loves and deceits, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

“It is quite important, when staging something as iconic as THE GREAT GATSBY, to lean into the style that was prevalent in the 20s, but to also connect with the audience when presenting characters on a stage. For that reason I have chosen to use many Tableau-style settings while incorporating dynamic and character driven acting. This creates a great contrast which draws the attention to the story, and allows the audience to connect more readily, without being too caught up in establishing hard and fast spaces. This project leans heavily on interpretation rather than literal representation which gives the audience, once again, the opportunity to focus on the story, while also creating settings in their own imagination by use of suggestion. Lastly the choice for mood rather than reality has been made, pulling the audience into a world where they can relax and lose themselves while being part of this performance.” - Neil Leachman, Director


This glittering staging is set to the rhythm of a filmic score provided by a live jazz band, with powerful vocalists supporting the story unfolding below. Experience the wonder of this tale as never seen before.

THE GREAT GATSBY will be the first major theatrical event at the newly reopened The Star Theatre at Homecoming Centre (formerly the site of the beloved Fugard Theatre in the heart of Cape Town). The project arrives as a brash and bold celebration of live theatre after a season of lockdowns, closures and damage to the performing arts industry. The show features a stellar cast of 27 actors, singers, dancers and musicians, bringing to life the frantic pulse of the Jazz age - an age of prohibition, fuel shortages and the great flu. (Sound familiar?)


Ticket price: R180

Dates: 30 June - 09 July 2022

Booking: Quicket

Venue: The Star Theatre at Home Coming Centre (HCC)

Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes (With interval)

Parking available at the parking lot on Caledon Street


Thursday, 30 June 2022, 19:30

Friday 01 July 2022, 19:30

Saturday 02 July 2022, 14:30 and 19:30

Tuesday 05 July 2022, 19:30

Wednesday 06 July 2022, 19:30

Thursday 07 July 2022, 19:30

Friday 08 July 2022, 19:30

Saturday 09 July 2022, 14:30 and 19:30



PRODUCTION TEAM

Presented by - Cape Town Theatre Company and Claremont Dramatic Society

Director – Neil Leachman

Musical Director – Regina Malan

Choreographer – Shayni Pappin-Davidson

Adapted by – Stephan Fourie

Set Designer – Michélle Hough

Costume Designer – Kagiso Makgalemele

Lighting Designer – Hema Maskowitz

Sound Designer – Neil Leachman


CAST

Jay Gatsby - Mihir Soni

Nick Carraway - David Wilke

Daisy Buchanan - Siobhan Taljaard

Tom Buchanan - Sinakho Ncala

Jordan Baker - Gizelle Willows

Myrtle Wilson - Brigitte Simpson

George Wilson - Yuri Behari-Leak

Meyer Wolfsheim - John Carne

Catherine - Miri-Joan de Wet


ENSEMBLE

Rio Notra Segal

Stephanie Bergsteedt

Jodi Mummery

Christoff van Wyk

Tejan Bhoola

Joshua Lee

Tami Schrire

Kanya Zembe

Rhodah Martin

Laukita Bonolo Moloi

Caitlin Barnard

Megan Armstrong-Davies


BAND

Tersia Harley

Alec Mackay

Andrea Morris


CREW

Morag Tison (Stage Manager)

Melissa Marcus (Assistant Stage Manager)

Richard Whittaker (Logistics Manager)

Melvyn Abrahams

Kevin Thyssen

Tasneem Karodia

Linda Steele

Mel Moses


COVID PROTOCOLS

The production team is committed to observing strict Covid19 Protocols. We ask that audience members please respect social distancing measures and that masks are worn where possible. All audience members will be subject to temperature checks before entering the venue and requested to use our sanitizer. We value our patrons and will do everything in our power to keep our cast, crew and audience safe.

bottom of page