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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.