The American Drama Group Europe presents:

THE GREAT GATSBY

written by F. Scott Fitzgerald

directed by Leo Benedict

Nick Carraway, a young man from Minnesota, moves to New York in the summer of 1922, and gradually becomes friends with a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby, who lives in a gigantic Gothic mansion and throws extravagant parties.

Nick is drawn into a world of new money, decadence and deception. He discovers that Gatsby is in love with Daisy Buchanan, a rich cousin who is already married but who, when re-united with Gatsby, decides to leave her husband.

Tragedy inevitably follows. A car crashes, a secret lover of Daisy’s husband is killed and Gatsby is eventually murdered because he is assumed to have driven the car.

Nick observes all the characters as they play out their own tragedy, driven by cynicism and selfishness. Yet he admires Gatsby right to the end because Gatsby’s motives are driven by love and hope, rather than greed.

Published in 1925, four years before the catastrophic collapse of the American stock markets, Fitzgerald’s novel graphically portrays a society being destroyed by money and dishonesty, the American dream of happiness and individualism degenerating into the mere pursuit of wealth.

The obvious contemporary relevance is made clear in this exciting new stage adaptation by Leo Benedict. Filled with live and evocative jazz music from the twenties, this production recreates the glitz and decadence of the period. The tense and absorbing drama is played out to its dramatic climax by a cast of five actors; it is fast-paced, visually evocative and highly theatrical.

ADGE has been touring exciting and original stage productions throughout the world for 40 years. The company has gained a reputation for engaging and enthralling audiences young and old and we are delighted to have the opportunity of presenting this American classic.

Expected duration: 90 min + 15 min. interval, total 1:45 hours

THE CAST:

Saskia Vinkhuyzen
is a Dutch American Actress based in London, she trained at the California Institute of the Arts. She was recently seen in cinemas internationally as Ruth Adams in Disney’s Young Woman and the Sea. Saskia also recently played journalist Ann Bishop in MGM+’s Hotel Cocaine, and is the voice of Bad Lana in Netflix’s hit reality series Too Hot To

Lois Baglin
(She/Her) is a London-based actor from Cambridge, England.  She graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2022 with an MA in Screen Acting. This year Lois has appeared in 'How You Died' onstage at The Old Red Lion and The Hen and Chickens Theatre, and performed in TV shows, such as 'Surface' S2 (Apple TV), 'Truelove' (Channel 4) and an Amazon Prime series (TBA, 2025). In her spare time, Lois enjoys ice skating, writing, and teaching her nephews how best to wind up their parents.

Alex Figueiredo
Alex Figueiredo is a Brazilian actor based in London. He is mainly known for his work on Disney's "A Small Light" and the Netflix film "The Bombardment". He is now appearing on Hulu's "We Were The Lucky Ones" and has won 14 "Best Lead Actor" awards across the globe. Alex trained at Drama Studio London and speaks 4 different languages fluently. 

Andrew Mockler
Andrew Mockler is an English actor, originally from Middlesbrough. He is a recent graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. His TV credits include DC’S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW and he has performed seven shows with the award winning The Show Must Go Online including lead roles in DOCTOR FAUSTUS and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. His favourite performance was as PENTHEUS in THE BACCHAE at the ANCIENT GREEK FESTIVAL in MESSENE. Andrew is also a musician – he has toured the world and worked with STING. Andrew is passionate about politics, animal protection and conservation, films and TV shows, games, and a fanatic about Star Trek. He loves German Shepherd dogs, and is addicted to Galaxy Minstrels chocolate.

Sonny Pilgrem
Sonny Pilgrem is an actor born and raised in London. He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2021.  

Leo Benedict
the artistic director