THE GREAT GATSBY
DETAILS
Producer:
Choreography:
Music:
Duration:
Visuals:
Costumes:
Novarts Ballet
Cristiano Principato
George Gershwin • & other American composers
2 hours (ballet in two acts)
50 min. ACT I
20 min. PAUSE
50 min. ACT II
Cristiano Principato
Cristiano Principato
Dates and tickets
12 April 2027
h. 19:00
Mere Kultuurikeskus
Tallinn, Estonia
10 May 2027
h. 19:00
Mere Kultuurikeskus
Tallinn, Estonia
THE GREAT GATSBY is a thrilling ballet in two acts based on F. Fitzgerald's iconic novel, premiering on April 12, 2027 at of Mere Kultuurikeskus.
Set amidst the glamour and decadence of the Roaring Twenties, this cinematic and vibrant show follows the passionate journey of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, two former lovers who set out on different paths in life, only to find themselves reunited years later and still haunted by the feelings they once shared.
If you enjoyed Principato's Cinderella, The Great Gatsby promises to be just as captivating.
The production remains faithful to the distinctive approach that characterises all Novarts Ballet full-length works — a winning formula that combines the international and streamlined format of a ballet gala with the narrative and dramaturgy of a story ballet.
This time, the collaborative project brings together different talents from a more regional ballet scene, reuniting wonderful artists from Estonian National Ballet, Vanemuine Ballet, Finnish National Ballet and Novarts Ballet Studio Company.
For this creation, Principato will enrich his signature neoclassical style with elements of jazz, Charleston and other popular dances of the time.
A wonderful selection of George Gershwin’s finest pieces will form the backbone of the score, beautifully embodying the unique spirit of the era.
Works by other famous American composers will also be woven into the show, whenever music is played as part of the action — on the radio, on a gramophone, or performed live.
Featuring acclaimed pianist Johan Randvere and singer-songwriter Yasmyn, the production blends dance, live music and imaginative stagecraft.
While everyday objects become part of the storytelling — like a grand piano transforming into an automobile, for instance — the plot reveals the contrast between the dazzling façade of wealth and success and the emptiness that often lies beneath.
Classy sepia visuals — reminiscent of vintage photography — will transport the audience effortlessly across extravagant parties, smoky speakeasies, poolside gatherings, love triangles, hidden affairs, tragic deaths and shattered illusions.
And, as the icing on the cake, fabulous costumes will capture both the elegance and extravagance of this much-celebrated Jazz Age — from its chic and refined 1920s looks, to its glittery party dresses and flamboyant cabaret outfits.
Get ready for a night to remember!
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." — F. Scott Fitzgerald
gallery
SYNOPSIS
ACT 1
MANHATTAN
Young writer Nick Carraway moves to New York in search of hope and a new beginning.
While driving through the bustling city, he unexpectedly meets his cousin Daisy Buchanan and her husband Tom Buchanan.
The two introduce him to their friend, the celebrated golfer Jordan Baker, and they warmly invite Nick to visit them at their estate in East Egg.
GATSBY'S ESTATE
At sunset, Nick reaches his new modest cottage in West Egg.
There he catches his first glimpse of his mysterious neighbour, Jay Gatsby, a fabulously wealthy man who stands alone gazing across the bay at the distant green light shining from Daisy's dock on the opposite shore.
Gatsby lives in an extravagant mansion and has rented the former caretaker's small cottage to Nick, making them next-door neighbours.
DAISY AND TOM'S GARDEN
The following morning, Nick visits Daisy's luxurious estate in East Egg.
Jordan Baker joins them, and the group enjoys a game of golf in the gardens.
Beneath the elegance of the gathering, Tom Buchanan's affair with Myrtle Wilson is exposed through a telephone call, leaving Daisy heartbroken.
As Nick and Jordan prepare to leave and the evening turns chilly, Daisy lends Jordan her scarf, unknowingly setting in motion the reunion between herself and Gatsby.
GATSBY'S MANOR
On their way back across the bay, Nick and Jordan are intrigued by the lively music echoing from Gatsby's grand mansion.
Curious, they decide to join the extravagant celebration.
Amid the dancing and festivities, Gatsby notices the scarf Jordan is wearing and reveals that he owns an identical one.
Seeing it awakens memories of his past with Daisy.
He tells Nick and Jordan the story of their youthful romance, Daisy's farewell gift of the scarf before he left for the war, and how she eventually married Tom while he was away.
At the end of the party, Gatsby asks Nick to arrange a meeting with Daisy.
NICK'S COTTAGE
Nick invites Daisy for afternoon tea at his small cottage.
Gatsby arrives unexpectedly, and after an awkward first encounter, the former lovers are finally reunited.
Their feelings quickly resurface, ending the act with a passionate duet that marks the beginning of their secret affair.
ACT 2
THE VALLEY OF ASHES
Covered in debris from the surrounding industrial buildings, the Valley of Ashes is a wasteland where labourers spend their days in factories and workshops, a world far removed from the opulence of East and West Egg.
At George Wilson's struggling garage and gas station, George works tirelessly to support his wife, Myrtle Wilson, who dreams of a richer life.
During one of their secret rendezvous, her lover Tom arrives at the garage and surprises Myrtle with a luxurious pearl necklace, further fuelling her hopes of escaping her unhappy marriage.
DAISY AND GATSBY'S AFFAIR
Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan have surrendered completely to their love.
A series of intimate snapshots follows their romance—from Gatsby's bedroom, where he presents Daisy with an elegant green dress inspired by the distant green lighthouse that has long symbolised his hope, to a cute picnic in the gardens, a scenic drive where Gatsby teaches Daisy how to drive, a classy pool party, and one final lavish evening at Gatsby's mansion.
Although everyone arrives with their respective partners — Daisy with Tom and Myrtle with George —beneath the glittering celebration, every heart belongs to someone else, revealing a tangled web of desire and deception.
THE SPEAKEASY
Nick celebrates his birthday with Gatsby, Daisy and Jordan at a speakeasy.
During the evening, Tom arrives unexpectedly and publicly confronts Gatsby about his affair with Daisy.
Forced to choose between the two men, Daisy removes her wedding ring, returns it to Tom, and leaves with Gatsby, convinced they can finally begin a new life together.
THE VALLEY OF ASHES
Back at the garage, George discovers the pearl necklace given to Myrtle by her secret lover, leading to a violent confrontation.
Myrtle escapes into the road in a desperate attempt to flee, but Gatsby's speeding car strikes and kills her: Daisy is the one behind the wheel.
As Gatsby and Daisy flee the scene in shock, Gatsby's hat accidentally falls onto Myrtle's lifeless body.
When Tom later arrives on the scene, he recognizes the hat and convinces the devastated George that Gatsby is responsible for both the affair and Myrtle's death.
GATBSY'S POOL
As Daisy packs her suitcase, preparing to leave her husband and move in with Gatsby, Tom abruptly interrupts her departure by turning on the radio.
A news bulletin announces that Gatsby has been shot beside his swimming pool by George, who then took his own life.
As Daisy's future crumbles before her eyes and her heart is left in pieces, Nick silently departs New York, leaving behind a world of broken dreams and shattered illusions.
