It's the title role in the great novel of the American dream. But who really knows what Jay Gatsby is thinking? We spoke to Northern Ballet's principal soloist Joseph Taylor to get his take on The Great Gatsby.
Based on the classic novel by F Scott Fitzgerald, Northern's Ballet version of the tale is set to a cinematic score by Oscar-nominated composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett.
The show premiered in 2013, the same year Baz Luhrmann's film of the novel featuring Leonardo DiCaprio was released. The company has since toured the show with its cast and crew across the UK four times.
With the company's former artistic director David Nixon at the helm, it is coming to London from May 16 to 20 at the Sadler's Wells Theatre in Clerkenwell, with principal soloist Joseph Taylor in the lead as Jay Gatsby and first soloist Dominique Larose as Daisy.
Joseph spilled some beans on his journey as a dancer and what the audience can expect.
1. Are you excited for the show’s opening in London?
I’m so I excited for our run of performances at Sadler’s Wells. It’s one of the highlights of the season for us and to hear that the shows are pretty much sold out is really fantastic.
2. What is the highlight of the show for you?
My highlights of the ballet would be the end of both acts but for different reasons. The end of act one is Daisy and Gatsby’s first meeting after years apart and there is something quite poignant in this moment as I think he believes his quest for Daisy is really coming to fruition. It is also technically challenging so you feel a great sense of achievement as a dancer.
The end of act 2 finishes with a hopeful, romantic song, written and recorded by the composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, and it amalgamates beautifully Gatsby’s feelings.
3. What scenes/moves did you find the most challenging?
The end of act one is definitely the most physically challenging, but also there is a pas de deux in act two with some quite tricky lifts and with a dress full of sequins visibility isn’t always that great! Thankfully the stage lights are strong enough that I can just about make out what direction I am facing with my partner above my head.
4. How did you feel when you got the part of Jay Gatsby?
I was first given the role of Jay Gatsby about a year ago and this is my second time playing him. However, this ballet was created 10 years ago when I first joined Northern Ballet so I have performed as different characters in the ballet throughout my career. To now be dancing the title role now really is a dream come true and something I still sometimes can’t quite believe.
5. How did you prepare for the role?
F Scott Fitzgerald’s novel is now nearly 100 years old and there have been many interpretations, but I find there is no better place to start than to read the almost poetic language of the original text.
It always speaks to me as an artist to envision my natural response to the emotions played out over one hot summer in New York. My aim is to embody Gatsby but I first must see him from the outside as a spectator.
Our ballet was created in 2012 and I have had the pleasure of witnessing so many of my colleagues interpreting this role and this plays a huge part in my preparations. Without the guidance of my colleagues this part would be even more of a challenge than it already is.
6. Could you tell our readers a little about your journey as a dancer/performer?
I didn’t have a straightforward journey into ballet. As a young boy I used to be baby-sat by my auntie during the summer months and would often go to watch my older cousin Victoria in her dance classes. I eventually took it up myself but setting foot inside the ballet studio was such a challenge for me as was so shy and I ended up doing classes on and off.
When I was 11 I was accepted into the Royal Ballet School after attending classes with the Royal Ballet junior associates. Unfortunately I only lasted two weeks as Richmond Park was a far cry from home but after maturing a little I went on to train at Elmhurst School for Dance in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet for three years.
Upon graduating I was offered a job at Northern Ballet by David Nixon CBE and now here I am at Sadler’s Wells performing principal roles!
7. What do you hope audiences will take away from watching The Great Gatsby?
I hope that the audience are taken on a journey of emotions throughout the show. It is a story that has remained relevant in an ever-changing world. There are many themes that different people will be able to connect to and I believe we still have a lot to learn from the characters in this story. Its interesting at the end of the evening to see who you come out feeling for the most.
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