Review: THE GREAT GATSBY, Immersive Everywhere

Photo credit: Mark Senior

A truly unique step into the world but with a modern take on the classic story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Take on the whirlwind of the roaring 20s with Immersive LDN’s The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby combines acting, dancing, music and singing to bring the immersive adaption to life, all whilst incorporating an entirely 360-degree experience in and around the audience to truly bring the action to every inch of the space available. Lighting is also used imaginatively to enhance and focus your attention.

Audiences follow the adapted tale famously but are encouraged to use the opportunity to explore other characters by the actors taking groups of the audience into different rooms, each with their own subplot which then, in turn, led back into the main plot for the entire show. We would recommend reading up on the basic plot of The Great Gatsby as with so much going on, it can be easy to miss small parts of the story and with this modern adaption, there are plenty of other added details.

Because the audience is split into groups, it does mean only certain audience members get to see those specific scenes, which encourages the idea of multiple visits to Gatsby’s mansion. However, this in no way hinders the main plot and the show can be attended once. Any eager audience members who want to see how other scenes play out will have to book again.

One disadvantage to an immersive performance is the noise of an audience. Some parts of the dialogue are missed and it would have been better had the actors all had microphones, which would help the speech travel throughout the entire main room. Perhaps the logistic of the different rooms makes this impossible and also the company switching between close interaction versus widely addressing the room.

Nonetheless, The Great Gatsby invites audience members to get involved with the show however much or little as they feel comfortable to do so. This involves dancing, singing, helping actors with specific props or costume and even set building. We highly advise being as involved as much you can for the best possible show experience; this involves the dress code (though optional), 1920’s style and apparel is encouraged and adds another element of being part of the story. 

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Tyler Whiting

Tickets for The Great Gatsby are available until 16th January 2022 here.