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F. Scott Fitzgerald’s
The Great Gatsby
Adapted by Daniel Evans and Nelle Lee
Directed by Daniel Evans and Nick Skubij
Can you repeat the past? Of course you can, Old Sport.
Welcome to The Jazz Age: a fever dream of dizzying excess where love, lies and liquor are in hot supply. Late to this glittering party arrives Nick Carraway, a blow-in from the mid-West, who’s immediately drawn to the enigmat...
Can you repeat the past? Of course you can, Old Sport.
Welcome to The Jazz Age: a fever dream of dizzying excess where love, lies and liquor are in hot supply. Late to this glittering party arrives Nick Carraway, a blow-in from the mid-West, who’s immediately drawn to the enigmatic playboy next door: Jay Gatsby.
Every Saturday night New York’s Flappers, Freeloaders and Pleasure Seekers swill from Gatsby’s generosity while rumours swirl about their mysterious host. Is he a racketeer? A mobster? A bootlegger? A saint? Nick soon discovers the forlorn Gatsby is a man who has everything he wants - except the only woman he’s ever loved … Daisy.
Considered one of the greatest novels ever written, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary masterpiece comes roaring to the stage in a stylish and scintillating adaptation where dreams shimmer then shatter, hearts beat achingly out of time and everyone’s chasing their own green light.
Queensland Theatre Company and our nationally-acclaimed homegrown heroes Shake & Stir Theatre Co spirit you away to that elusive gin-soaked Summer of 1922, where love and longing is served on the rocks. From the creative teams that brought you Pride & Prejudice, Frankenstein, A Christmas Carol and GRIMM, alongside a cast of rising stars, this Gatsby is shaken, not stirred.
Praise for The Great Gatsby
“Scintillating and genuinely brilliant.” — New York Post
“…it's not the champagne and the dancing… it is those feelings of wondering where we are, the sense that anything can crumble at any moment, that keep Gatsby meaningful.” — Michael Farris Smith, American Novelist
“Perhaps the supreme American novel.” — Sunday Times
“Forget great. The Great Gatsby is the greatest…” — Maureen Corrigan, So We Read On
2 hours 30 minutes including interval, subject to change without notice
Accessibility
Auslan Interpreted Fri 27 Feb, 7:30pm
Audio Described Sat 28 Feb, 2:00pm
Relaxed Performance Sat 7 Mar, 2:00pm
The Briefing
Tues 10 Feb 6:00pm
Warning
This production contains mature themes, sexual references, depictions of racism, domestic violence, strong language, and the simulated use of drugs, alcohol and smoking. It also includes depictions of suicide, the use of imitation firearms, theatrical smoke an...
This production contains mature themes, sexual references, depictions of racism, domestic violence, strong language, and the simulated use of drugs, alcohol and smoking. It also includes depictions of suicide, the use of imitation firearms, theatrical smoke and haze, dynamic sound effects, and flashing lights. Recommended for audiences aged 14 years and over.
Dates
12 Feb – 8 Mar · Playhouse, QPAC | 5 – 6 Feb · The Empire, Toowoomba
Location
Playhouse, QPAC & The Empire, Toowoomba
Times
The Empire, Tooowomba
Evenings: Thu-Fri 7:30pm
Matinee: Thu 1:00pm
2 hours 30 minutes including interval, subject to change without notice
Accessibility
Auslan Interpreted Fri 27 Feb, 7:30pm
Audio Described Sat 28 Feb, 2:00pm
Relaxed Performance Sat 7 Mar, 2:00pm
The Briefing
Tues 10 Feb 6:00pm
Warning
This production contains mature themes, sexual references, depictions of racism, domestic violence, strong language, and the simulated use of drugs, alcohol and smoking. It also includes depictions of suicide, the use of imitation firearms, theatrical smoke an...
This production contains mature themes, sexual references, depictions of racism, domestic violence, strong language, and the simulated use of drugs, alcohol and smoking. It also includes depictions of suicide, the use of imitation firearms, theatrical smoke and haze, dynamic sound effects, and flashing lights. Recommended for audiences aged 14 years and over.
Production Images
Photography by Joel Devereux
Creatives
Co-Director and Co-Adaptor Daniel Evans Co-Adaptor Nelle Lee Co-Director Nick Skubij Movement Director, Choreographer and Intimacy Coordinator Nerida Matthaei Set and Costume Designer Christina Smith Lighting Designer Trent Suidgeest Composer and Sound Designer Guy Webster Dramaturg Saffron Benner Associate Costume Designer Nat Ryner Accent Consultant Helen Howard
The Great Gatsby will have special out of town performances at Toowoomba’s historic Empire Theatre on the 5 & 6 February 2026, before hitting the stage at South Brisbane’s QPAC.
Recommended for ages 14+ with appropriate adult supervision. Suitable for Years 10–12.
This production contains death, violence, adult themes, sexual references, substance abuse and strong language.
Connects to
Drama (General) Senior Syllabus 2025 V1.1
Unit 3: Challenge
Drama in Practice 2024
Unit Option A: Collaboration
Unit Option C: Contemporary
Unit Option D: Commentary
ACiQ V9 The Arts – Drama Years 9–10
Exploring & Responding
Developing Practices & Skills
Additional learning areas
English (Years 10–12) — Prescribed Texts list 2026 onwards; History; Music; Visual Arts (ACiQ Year 10)
The Art of Reimagining
Seen through the lens of memory, this reimagining of The Great Gatsby is driven by desire, ambition and the stories we tell ourselves. Daniel Evans, Nelle Lee and Nick Skubij reflect on adapting Fitzgerald’s novel and why it still speaks so powerfully to the present moment.
