On April 24th (locally timed), the London Coliseum—a grand theater in London’s West End with a seating capacity for about 2,400 people—buzzed with excitement as every seat was occupied. The audience eagerly awaited the closing scenes.
The Great Gatsby
As the curtains fell and the stage lights grew dimmer, the crowd across all four levels stood up to applaud enthusiastically. This significant event was particularly important for the South Korean production company OD Company and its leader, CEO and producer Shin Chun-soo, marking the successful debut of their musical in London—a city often considered one half of the world’s theatrical heart along with New York City.
Jeong Jae-eun, a producer with the Arts Council Korea currently on study leave in London, attended the performance and remarked, “British audiences are known for being reserved and rarely give standing ovations. But seeing them rise and cheer so naturally filled me with emotion.”
After starting its previews on April 11, the musical has been selling out every performance since then. Since making its Broadway debut last year in April, the show has attracted more than 600,000 audience members through approximately 400 shows and accumulated earnings surpassing $68 million. Additionally, it created history as the inaugural South Korean-created musical to be honored with a Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Musical.
Following its successful run in New York, anticipation was intense for the show’s debut in London. As opening night approached, authorities controlled traffic around the theatre close to Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, where stars graced the red carpet amid applause and flashing cameras.
Notable among those present was broadcaster Anneka Rice, as well as actress Jessica Henwick.
Knives Out
actor Iwan Rheon from
Game of Thrones
fame, and Tom Fletcher, lead vocalist of McFly—all well-known figures with substantial online followings. The celebrations continued at the ballroom of Raffles London, a popular venue among the city’s trendsetters, with more than 800 guests in attendance.
First published in 1925,
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) is broadly considered a keystone in American literature, depicting the materialism, ethical deterioration, and disenchantment of the Jazz Era with rich symbolism and poetic writing.
The stage version captivates viewers with flamboyant depictions of Gatsby’s opulent gatherings, casting the narrative within a modern romantic comedy framework. With its swinging big-band jazz tunes, intricate set pieces, and ornate attire, along with dance routines that ignited a viral sensation, the show offers a sumptuous and deeply moving spectacle. The second act escalates towards a dramatic peak, remaining true to the core messages of the source material.
Although certain critics have not been as enthusiastic—the
Times
and
The Independent
Each gave it two stars, while
The Guardian
gave it one—audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. As of 9 a.m. on Apr. 27 (local time), 93% of 353 respondents on Show-Score.com rated the production favorably.
At a press conference the following day, director Marc Bruni, composer Jason Howland, choreographer Dominique Kelley, and lead actor Jamie Muscato, who portrays Gatsby, were in attendance. Muscato was recently named a finalist for Best Actor at the Laurence Olivier Awards, the highest honor in British theater.
Reflecting on the production’s journey, Shin said during the musical’s Broadway opening, “An unfulfilled sense of emptiness is what drives me.” Speaking on the new milestone, he added with a laugh, “Perhaps that emptiness we call a dream is something that will never be fulfilled. If so, it becomes the very foundation upon which I continue to take on new challenges through musicals.”
The Great Gatsby
is scheduled to open in July at GS Arts Center in Seoul’s Yeoksam-dong, with casting now in its final stages. Following its performances in New York and London, the production is poised to continue its global journey.
