Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We may have been plagued with more rain than ever this summer but at Chester’s Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre a long, hot, New York summer has arrived as F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby plays out.

Audiences are transported to the decadence of Long Island during the Roaring 20s where the lavish lives and lurid loves of the residents of West and East Egg are brought to vibrant and believable life by brilliant storytelling, extravagant costumes, melodic song and superb musicality: all delivered by an incredibly talented cast.

Writer Deborah McAndrew and director Conrad Nelson have taken this potentially dark tale and delivered something fun, thrilling and enormously entertaining.

Nick Carraway (Thomas Cotran) arrives in New York after the war determined to make a new life for himself, he calls upon his distant cousin, wealthy socialite Daisy Buchanan (Molly-Grace Cutler) and soon encounters the infamous and charismatic millionaire Jay Gatsby. What follows is a scintillating tale of scandal, high-society and dark revelations. Cotran is superb as Carraway, barely a moment off stage he guides us through the retelling of this heady tale beginning in the court room as he convinces us entirely that his is the opinion to trust. He’s our constant and steady guide, mirroring perfectly our own fascination with these characters who we both love and loathe in equal measure.

The mystery and intrigue surrounding Gatsby is brilliantly developed, by the time Daniel Burke as the man in question makes his first appearance, we’re all as equally enthralled as his fawning party guests. Suave, sophisticated, yet always maintaining an air of mystery as he greets strangers as friends littering conversations with his favourite term of endearment where everyone is an ‘old sport’. He places himself at the heart of a world he so desperately wants to belong to, no matter the cost.

Odious and seemingly untouchable womaniser Tom Buchanan is portrayed perfectly by Laurie Jamieson, while Molly-Grace Cutler gets to the heart of shallow Daisy Buchanan. Alice Lyburd’s Myrtle Wilson is wholly convincing in her desperation for life beyond her class while Matthew Ganley’s portrayal of George Wilson tragically demonstrates the failure of the so called, American Dream.

The Great Gatsby is another triumph for Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, this talented company of actor musicians will sweep you away with their vibrant storytelling, weaving fun and frivolity throughout this dramatic tale. The accessibility of the theatre space makes for a welcoming environment for all while the addition of captioning each show further cements the message that theatre truly is for all, wonderful!

The Great Gatsby is on at Chester’s Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre until 27^th August. Tickets available The Great Gatsby – Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre