Stage review This American dream is a breezy Broadway nightmare

There is a strong argument for turning F. Scott Fitzgerald's jazz-age critique of the American dream into a musical, from the lavish parties at Jay Gatsby's mansion to the natural lyricism in the novel's prose.

- Arifa Akbar

It does not transpose well here, though not for a lack of size or volume. Under the direction of Marc Bruni, it starts big, in sound and look, as the world of spoiled old-money couple Tom (Jon Robyns) and Daisy Buchanan (Frances Mayli McCann) collides with that of the self-made Jay Gatsby (Jamie Muscato).

But it has nowhere to go from there. With every ostrich-filled scene and iceberg-sized setting designed by Paul Tate DePoo III, it appears more like a Las Vegas casino, with bursts of lurid light and ever-more showboating sets.

The music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Nathan Tysen are cruise-liner material too, by turns trite, tinkly and bombastic. It is unfortunate, given the strong vocal capabilities of the cast.