LONDON – One September afternoon, nine cast members of “The Great Gatsby”, standing on the stage like a party at Gatesby’s mansion, volunteered for a Charleston dance at a London venue.
There should be 10 of them in the rehearsal, but one actor, M.J. Lee was serving as the show’s immediate choreographer. The dancer who usually does this was stuck at home, waiting for the result of the coronavirus test.
Lee didn’t seem bothered by the responsibility. “That’s great!” She kept screaming at James Lawrence, the actor who played the show’s storyteller Nick Caraway, as she struggled with the steps.
Before the downfall, the show was often described as a play-like party. Audience members dress up in suits or floats and drink while standing in the elegant rooms of a London townhouse decorated in 1920s bar style. During the show, the actors moved around in the audience, often talking directly to the audience to bring them into action.
Soon, to take part in interactive scenes – the cast, a handful of lucky members will take to other rooms of the townhouse – Gatesby’s Bowdor, for example. (Sometimes the audience members got a little closer. In 2018, the police were called after complaints were made by the actors that they were being sexually abused by the audience members.)
The entire base of the show had to be changed due to the coronavirus, said General T. Ein, his general manager while watching the rehearsal. “It’s a shame,” he said. “The freedom of movement in the audience was what we used to be and now we’ll limit it to a slightly more traditional theater setup.”
Before the downdown, he said, Charleston was introduced as a dance lesson for a 250-strong audience, with everyone encouraged to join. Now, there will be only dancers dancing, and there will be only 70 spectators, all wearing masks. And sat in chairs, went out to maintain social distance.
Ain added that some audience members would still be taken to other rooms, but their experiences would be different. For example, at the Boud Door, Gatsby would throw the contents of her wardrobe over to the audience as they searched for the perfect party attire. But, many people touching the same things were now at risk, she added. Gatesby will now ask members of the audience what outfit they like.
“It’s still an immersion theater,” Aino said, “just less interactive. “
In rehearsals, on September 22, the creative changes for the show’s comeback were agreed upon. But Yennon said she was still experiencing “a little stress” due to another issue: the British government’s coronavirus rules, which change regularly on short notice. Shortly before the rehearsals that day, Prime Minister Boris Jones announced that the hosts would be closed at 10 p.m.
It wasn’t the best for “Gatsby”, Aino said, as he benefited by keeping his bar open after the show ended.
“We’ll see what changes tomorrow!” He added.
In early October, a few weeks after rehearsals, “The Great Gatsby” reopened. Around 7pm, the night’s 70-odd guests arrived at the townhouse in Mayfair district, some accessorized with brightly dressed blue surgical masks.
Ainan, standing outside Bhela, said she was relieved the show was finally on and running. Ain added that new safety measures were in place everywhere. Check the temperature at the door, there was an air filtration system inside, the air was cleaned every six minutes, she explained, and the germs for treatment would be destroyed by ultraviolet light in each room.
In an interview with eight audience arrival members, only one spoke of concerns about coronavirus. “I’m worried about being inside,” said Michael Jing, 24, as he parted ways with his girlfriend. “But I don’t think I have much of a chance to go to the theater in the future, so I want to try.”
Inside the charming main room, which had a fountain scattered and lots of gold Art Deco decorations, audience members were guided to their tables where they ordered drinks from masked waiters.
Initially, epidemic ideas were difficult to avoid. Rosie Rosenthal (Hugh Stubbins) started the show by standing at the bar and announcing very un-Gatsby rules, with key people saying that attendees should never leave their seats unless invited by a cast member.
“Keep that mask on, let’s swing this party,” he said.
But once that got out of the way, the changes in the show were natural. When the audience members were taken to see the immersion scenes, the characters gave them subtle reminders to clean their hands. “Let’s freshen up,” Nick Caraway said. “It’s New York City, you never know who touched what,” he added.
Ruth Turner, a 30-year-old civilian servant, said he was jealous to see people leaving the main room to go to secret places. “Usually in the theater for the occasion, you can go wherever you want.” She added, “I wanted to sit in one place and watch a play in a bar.”
Maia Honan, 52, was more enthusiastic. “The whole experience is so special,” he said, adding that one of Gatsby’s maids was invited to take part in the action by playing and arranging a tea service for her. “We’ve all been in lockdown for a very long time, everything is so much more.”
He expressed concern that the play may have to close again, adding that the government is likely to announce new sanctions, but hopes that this will not happen. The whole of England is currently subject to a hospitality curfew at 10am, and on Saturday, indoor merging homes were banned for London, although theaters may remain open.
At 9:55 pm, “The Great Gatsby” erupted just minutes before the curfew. Nick Caraway stayed at the bar and got out of the character to address everyone briefly. He said, “Just a great welcome to do things together again.
He added, “This is usually the time to say we’ll get out of the suit and get you to drink.” “But it is illegal. So have a beautiful, beautiful evening. ”
