THE GREAT GATSBY: MUSICAL MAGIC MEETS AFTERNOON TEA GLAMOUR

By Kara Buffrey | @karabuffrey11 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

The Roaring Twenties have returned to London in all their glittering glory with The Great Gatsby: A New Musical, now captivating audiences at the London Coliseum. A vibrant, reimagined take on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel, this musical breathes fresh life into the tale of love, longing and luxury — and it does so with a modern, melodic twist. The energy is infectious, the set design is lavish, and the performances pulse with Gatsby’s signature cocktail of tragedy and charm.

The production, which runs until 7 September 2025, feels both classically reverent and strikingly new. Director Marc Bruni brings his deft hand from Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, whilechoreographer Dominique Kelley infuses scenes with dynamic movement that bridges jazz-era glamour with contemporary flair. From the opening overture to the final curtain, the show simmers with drama, opulence, and unspoken yearning. Jamie Muscato gives a charismatic, aching portrayal of Jay Gatsby, while Frances Mayli McCann’s Daisy is ethereal and elusive — exactly as Fitzgerald intended.

Yet it’s Corbin Bleu and Amber Davies, playing Nick Carraway and Jordan Baker, who quietly steal the show. Bleu’s Nick is the emotional anchor — sincere, observant, and disarmingly candid. His scenes with Davies are some of the most affecting in the musical, striking a balance between sharp wit and real intimacy. Davies’s Jordan is magnetic: confident and cool, yet layered with moments of vulnerability. Their chemistry adds depth and unexpected warmth to a narrative often overshadowed by Gatsby and Daisy’s ill-fated romance.

As the musical makes its mark in the West End, the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane has launched a sparkling collaboration of its own — a themed afternoon tea that pays homage to the show. Aptly titled The Great Gatsby: Only Afternoon Tea!, the experience runs alongside the production and is hosted in the hotel’s spectacular Palm Court, a Grade II-listed Art Deco masterpiece that could have been plucked straight from Gatsby’s own estate.

The tea itself is a joyful nod to Fitzgerald’s characters and settings, beginning with a curated selection of savoury creations. There’s the Rockefeller Smoked Salmon Tart with dill crème and cucumber pearls and the Gatsby Club, richly layered with roast chicken and pancetta. The East Egg Truffle Salad, a delicate mix of heritage egg and summer truffle, is both charmingly themed and genuinely delicious.

On the sweet side, the pastry team leans into the drama of the Jazz Age. Daisy’s Tropical Choux is filled with a lush exotic fruit crémeux and topped with a passion fruit glaze, while the Lemon & Jazz-mine Meringue Pie dances on the palate with zesty brightness. The Roaring Opera, layered in pistachio and raspberry and dusted in gold, reflects Gatsby’s obsessive grandeur, and the Gatsby Forest Gâteau is a dark, boozy indulgence that would feel at home at one of his legendary soirées. Served alongside warm scones, clotted cream and a tea menu that spans the globe, the experience is as immersive as it is indulgent.

The hotel also offers a limited-edition cocktail collection, cleverly designed to reflect the show’s key characters and moments. The Gatsby Gold Rush, made with WhistlePig Rye and kumquat cordial, is bold and heady, while the Green Light Martini – a crisp, herbaceous blend of mint-infused gin and cucumber Lillet –channels Gatsby’s eternal hope. The Flapper’s Fizz sparkles with raspberry and Champagne, a fitting tribute to the wild glamour of the 1920s, and Daisy’s Delight, a non-alcoholic floral concoction, offers a light yet luxurious alternative.

The Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, with its original 1920s interiors, is the perfect partner to the production – just a 20-minute walk from the London Coliseum and moments from Green Park station. Its Palm Court provides a setting every bit as theatrical as the stage show, and for those looking to extend the experience, pre-theatre dining and post-show cocktails are all part of the allure. Guests can arrive via the Tube, by black cab, or with the help of the hotel’s attentive doormen and concierge team, before stepping into a world where the champagne flows and the music never quite stops.

Together, the musical and the afternoon tea create one of London’s most immersive cultural pairings this summer. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Gatsby’s tragic love story or simply in search of a fabulous day out in the capital, this double bill of theatre and culinary flair captures everything the Jazz Age stood for – beauty, brilliance and a touch of heartbreak.

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Just don’t forget to raise your glass “old sport” to an unforgettable London experience, and my new favourite theatre experience, ever.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The show and tea are both five out of five Stars!