A popular and regular visitor to Edinburgh's Fringe, the students of Shrewsbury School are known for presenting original musicals each year, and this year's offering was the story of a certain Mr Gatsby, based on the novel by E. Scott Fitzgerald.
This was a highly proficient and energetic production with some nice attention to detail. A live 8-piece band was at the side of the stage, and a simple wooden rostra and fence sufficed for the entire show's set. This gave the performers more room to manoeuvre when tasked with some full-company up-beat 1920's styled choreography.
Sometimes the sound leveles were not balanced and we had a couple of mic issues during this show, which meant that dialogue underscored by music was lost, and voices sometimes went unamplified. However, that did not diminish the acting or the talent and enthusiasm displayed. Telling the story of a certain Jay Gatsby through the eyes of protagonist Nick Carroway, and the women who adored them both, these teenage stars-in-the-making gave their alls to this show, and it paid dividend many times over. However, I have to give a special mention to Kate Woodman who played Myrtle Wilson, as she managed to impress with her triple-threat ability just a tad more than the others.
This is a hugely competent, highly proficient, and fun (despite the tragedy) show, which includes some great original music, toe-tapping songs, excellent choroegraphy, and well-measured and considered characters and characteristaions. Most definitely worth watching - highly enjoyable.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 23.8.22
Thanks Matthew. Pleased you enjoyed the show.
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