The true story of a long lost silent movie version of The Great Gatsby, adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, is a timely and inspiring idea for this new play.
As a 45 minute drama, it is difficult to compete with the recent lavish, multi-million dollar movie starring Leonardo Di Caprio. But with live music, fabulous vintage costumes, sharp-as-a pin accents, we step into the madcap life of flapper girls and bright young things of Los Angeles in the 1920s.
The characters are, of course, based on the actual stars of the first Great Gatsby film, dramatised through detailed research of the original cast list. As the narrative reveals, Hollywood studios contracted talented young actors to perform in a series of films like repertory theatre.
With minimal props, a table, couple of chairs, the noise of a whirring camera, the cast recreate the typical exaggerated facial expressions, gestures, tea party, embraces and arguments without a word of dialogue.
The action is choreographed with slick and fluid movement, enhanced with sound effects and live piano score.
We learn more about each actor from the cool-as-a-cucumber Warner Baxter as Jay Gatsby, to the boorish Buck Nelson who insists on Stanislavski method acting for his role as Tom.
The pretty girls compete for attention from the handsome men, with as much romantic drama and wild parties both on and off the film set. This was the dream factory, a world of illusion where these young actors soon witnessed the reality behind the screen image of their Hollywood icons.
A one-minute trailer is the only surviving footage of the silent movie which was released by Paramount Pictures in 1926. Fitzgerald received $45,000 for the film rights, but the story goes that he was unhappy at the portrayal of Daisy and requested the film to be destroyed.
It would have been magical if this soupcon of the actual film could have been used in the play, but perhaps there were copyright issues regarding permission to screen it.
Sophie Sweetland is the Actor in Residence at Ashford School, Kent – what an inspired idea to employ a stage professional to teach and direct drama performances. This is an accomplished ensemble of 17 – 18 year old A level students who have charm, confidence and maturity in their stage presence.
The Lost Gatsby is the first play by actress and drama teacher Ann Millbery, written especially for the 8pB theatre company’s debut Fringe performance.
The illuminating script covering such a fascinating Hollywood story is worthy of development for a future professional production. After the Oscar success of The Artist, the cult popularity of silent movies is back in fashion.
Show times
12 – 17 August, 2013, 12.55pm-1.40pm
Ticket prices
£ 8 (£6).