THE GREAT GATSBY
DETAILS
Producer:
Choreography:
Music:
Duration:
Visuals:
Costumes:
Novarts Ballet
Cristiano Principato
George Gershwin (and 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 full-length ballet in two acts inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic novel, choreographed by Cristiano Principato and produced by Novarts Ballet.
Premiering on April 12, 2027, with two performances at Mere Kultuurikeskus in Tallinn, the production continues the idea of bringing together dancers from different ballet companies, much like a ballet gala, while preserving the storyline and dramatic structure of a full-length ballet.
If you enjoyed Principato's Cinderella, you will certainly appreciate this new creation as well: this time, the collaborative project focuses exclusively on artists from Northern Europe, bringing together dancers from Estonian National Ballet, Vanemuine Ballet, Finnish National Ballet and Novarts Ballet Studio Company.
Unlike Cinderella, a piece of family friendly fairytale atmosphere, cartoon-like animations and colourful costumes, The Great Gatsby embraces a more sophisticated, classy and dramatic aesthetic.
Set amidst the glamour and decadence of the Roaring Twenties, the production will combine elegant black-and-white visuals, reminiscent of vintage photography, with vibrant costumes inspired by the era — sparkling party dresses, glamorous cabaret outfits and elegant evening wear that capture the energy, extravagance and optimism of the Jazz Age.
Based on Fitzgerald's timeless masterpiece, the ballet tells the story of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, two former lovers whose lives took different paths, only to find themselves reunited years later, still haunted by the feelings they once shared.
Through love triangles, lavish parties, hidden affairs and shattered illusions, the story reveals the contrast between the dazzling façade of wealth and success and the emptiness that often lies beneath, exploring themes of love, desire, ambition and the price of chasing an idealised past.
Choreographed in Cristiano Principato's distinctive neoclassical style, the production includes elements of jazz and the popular dances of the time.
George Gershwin's music forms the backbone of the score, while some of the era's most iconic jazz classics by several other composers are seamlessly woven into the action whenever music is heard from a radio or performed live on stage, resulting in an innovative and cinematic theatrical structure.
Featuring acclaimed pianist Johan Randvere and singer-songwriter Yasmyn performing live on stage, the production blends dance, live music and imaginative stagecraft.
Everyday objects become part of the storytelling—a grand piano transforms into an automobile — while elegant visual effects transport the audience effortlessly between extravagant parties, smoky speakeasies, stylish poolside gatherings and the emotional moments that define the story.
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." — F. Scott Fitzgerald
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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.
