“it’s terrific to watch and absolutely enveloping into the extravagant party mood.“
Julia Newbould
Four green lights for a great night out.
Studio, Sydney Opera House
‘GATSBY at The Green Light plays at the Sydney Opera House, Studio until March 24’
A very Sydney crowd enjoyed a very Sydney style night out at the GATSBY at the Green Light Cabaret in the Studio of the Sydney Opera House. Since Baz Luhrmann gave the American classic an Australian touch – it has transformed to a Sydney decadent show studded with vaudeville and performances styled on the Roaring ‘20s. And what a treat that is!
The audience comprised those seated at cocktail tables sipping the signature cocktails of the Green Light and partaking in the specially curated canapés, those in tiered seating on the ground level and those looking down from the balconies. All were mesmerised and felt involved in the action.
Entertainment begins with the haunting figure of Gatsby in a corner of the stage – hosting his spectacular party with talent curated from around the world. There is a juggling act from Belgium (Florian Brooks) and a German aerialist (Oscar Kaufman ) who mounts a hatstand that is raised into the air. Not only does he show his adroitness in spinning around the hatstand but he manages to do a semi-striptease as he rotates around spinning stand.
Australian burlesque performer Bettie Bombshell who has been lurking around the stage with dripping glamour and sex – comes to the stage to sing, dance, and strip. It’s a fabulously retro journey that continues to titillate. Aerobatic dancing couple Zac Smith and Jemma Crump conduct a seduction midair with the aid of a large hoop. The show is an action packed 75 minutes of wonder and awe with music familiar and played in Luhrmann’s Gatsby style.
The 20s costumes are stunning thanks to costumer designers Mason Brown and Rose Jurd from Alfred. Singer Odette does an outstanding job on the microphone as the waiters come together for a tightly choreographed dance routine. The audience on opening night was almost as glamorous as the cast and this hopefully continues to add to the atmosphere of the club.
Miranda Menzies, from Scotland, is a sensational dancer, aerial acrobat, and semi contortionist. Her talent ranges from fire juggling, and fire eating, to being hoisted by her hair into the air for an aerial acrobatic number which has the audience completely spellbound. She later appears in a martini glass where she fits perfectly and completes the burlesque feel of the evening.
One of the biggest treats of the night is the multi-talented wait staff – one moment they are serving drinks and food and the next are bursting into dance – it’s terrific to watch and absolutely enveloping into the extravagant party mood.
Julia Newbould, Theatre Now
