Northern Ballet bring The Great Gatsby to Milton Keynes Theatre

The Great Gatsby: In Milton Keynes from TuesdayThe Great Gatsby: In Milton Keynes from Tuesday
The Great Gatsby: In Milton Keynes from Tuesday

Northern Ballet dance their way into Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday with their new ballet for 2013, The Great Gatsby.

Step back in time to the indulgent days of the 1920s as the superb cast do justice to the compelling story, adapted of course from the classic F Scott Fitzgerald read.

Speaking about their decision to stage The Great Gatsby now, artistic director David Nixon explained: “We had planned this production before we knew about Baz Luhrmann’s new movie. But I am not unaware that it is pretty good timing for us.

“In fact, it’s not just the movie and our ballet, contemporary fashion is borrowing heavily from that period, the 1920s.

“I think it is something to do with the sense of austerity we are experiencing – people want to remember a better time and celebrate it, just as they do in the book.”

And why does Gatsby make for a good ballet?

“It’s an American classic from the iconic era. The roaring twenties were a time of exuberance, indulgence, resilience, fashion, dancing and jazz.

“The story has everything for the makings of a great ballet: love triangles, decadence, desperation and heartbreak.

“It’s about those wonderful costumes and the parties and the spirit of the 1920s. That is perfect for a ballet.

“The range of dance styles including Tango and Charleston means that we can offer something for everyone.”

This version is special, says David, because “a lot of the story we’re telling never appears in the book. We’re telling the behind the scenes story of The Great Gatsby, if you like.

“I’m not putting the exact book on stage – that would be impossible anyway.

“We obviously take some of the story and some of the book and then in other places it’s all about finding the right spirit, telling the story, the narrative, as clearly as possible,” he promises.

Tickets are priced from £15 to £30 and show times are 7.30pm, with matinees on Thursday and Saturday, at 2.30pm.

> Northern Ballet aren’t leaving younger folks out in the ballet cold either – with two productions of Ugly Duckling on Friday, at 11am and 1pm.

This is the perfect opportunity for wee nippers to be introduced to the wonder of live ballet, music and theatre.

Tickets are £5.

Call the box office on 0844 871 7652.