Nick Carraway, a young man from Minnesota, moves to New York in the summer of 1922, where he gradually forms a friendship with a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby, who lives in a gigantic mansion and hosts extravagant parties.
On February 25th, we had the privilege of attending the theatrical adaptation of one of the world’s most renowned and widely read novels: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In just 90 minutes, the talented actors and actresses of the American Drama Group introduced us to the world of 1920s America. With a minimalist stage design and pragmatic costumes that contrasted with the opulence of the so-called Roaring Twenties, the performance was both captivating and thought-provoking. The ensemble demonstrated remarkable adaptability, with each actor seamlessly transitioning between multiple roles. It was nothing short of impressive to witness their swift transformations, displaying a level of skill and proficiency that added depth to the performance. Although the technical constraints of performing at the Volkshaus, compared to a traditional theatre, were apparent, the group overcame these challenges with remarkable finesse. Their interaction with the audience, often humorous and spontaneous, further enriched the experience.
All in all, attending a production by the American Drama Group is always a rewarding experience (such as last year’s performance of 1984 by George Orwell). Hopefully this tradition continues, and that they return to Meiningen for many more performances to come.
by: T. Dörr
PS: get a fleeting glimpse of the production here: https://www.adg-europe.com/the-great-gatsby-by-f-scott-fitzgerald/
