2025 marks the centenary of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The new musical based on the novel is currently in production in London’s West End, at the Coliseum.
Kait Kerrigan’s musical adaptation at the Coliseum Theater transforms the novel, read by Fifth Formers in English III, into a musical masterpiece. The score combines genres from pop and jazz and adds theatrical elements to capture the spirit of the Roaring Twenties and modern musical theater.
From Gatsby’s longing for Daisy to the thrill of his parties, the music and lighting capture the range of characters’ emotions. Every song conveys the characters’ desires and personal struggles in concert with the plot. Kerrigan highlights specific themes in the novel, turning them into musical numbers like “Absolute Rose,” “Past Is Catching Up to Me,” and “(The Party Goes) Roaring On.” The titles and lyrics of these songs exude specific themes that inform audience members of the characters’ thoughts and feelings.
“Great stage sets. Great actors. Great experience.”
Laila Abraham, A family Friend
Visually, the musical is breathtaking. The lavish gold-encrusted sets and magnificent costumes make the world of the Jazz Age feel vibrant. The combination of the music and exquisite acting allows the audience to experience the luxury of The Great Gatsby’s parties, overwhelmed by the tumult of the band, wild dancing, and visual effects. I felt that I was standing inside Jay Gatsby’s actual colossally elegant mansion.
Laila Abraham, a family friend, said, “Great stage sets. Great actors. Great experience.”
While the production was dazzling with its music and visuals, it sometimes overshadowed the novel’s moments of heartbreak and tension.
Despite these challenges, Kerrigan’s adaptation succeeds in giving audiences a fresh and thrilling way to experience the story of The Great Gatsby, making the feel of the Jazz Age available to modern audiences. The musical is also running at the Broadway Theater in New York.
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