The Great Gatsby - Northern Ballet at Sadlers Wells

Well, it may have been the night the film of The Great Gatsby opened in Cannes, but last night at Sadlers Wells (  <http://www.sadlerswells.com> ) there was a flurry of police and paparazzi - sadly not Beyoncé and Jay-Z, but the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

By and large David Nixon's choreography sticks to the book (with some reference back to Gatsby and Daisy's earlier relationship) so it is all fairly easy to follow.  The sets are simple and understated, the costumes stylish - the overall effect does give us a look at the world of 1920s decadence.  Dance-wise it is good and stylish, rather than earth-shattering.  There are some nice touches - interesting lifts and some good pas de deux.  I think I saw one wobble in a high lift!  The characterisation was good and fitted the book.

Northern Ballet's Gatsby  ( <http://northernballet.com> ) may not have the noise and zap of the film, but judging by the audience's reaction last night it is a true crowd pleaser!