Gatz: 8.5-Hour Theatrical Marathon

0:00This is Corey, keeping Sydney in the know you're listening to Sydney News today. A New York theater company called Elevator Repair Service has brought a unique take on F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby to her majesty's theater. In Adelaide, titled Gats, the show runs the entire novel word for word over eight and a half hours. It starts in a draft office where an employee discovers the book after his computer fails and soon his co-workers slip into the story's characters. The production blurs lines between reading and acting, with performers switching seamlessly between office drones and Gatsby's world. It feels like the best audiobook, mixed with a live radio play, full of immersive surprises that keep changing the rules. One actor hauls the broken computer around all night, and even the sound tech jumps into roles. Audiences and critics are calling it Transfixing Joy, especially Scott Shepard's stunning turn as narrator Nick Caraway. His delivery nails the pros' wit and depth, making every line land perfectly.

1:00The ensemble shines, too, with bold choices like a bald, older Gatsby, and a brutal daisy that fit the show's subversive vibe. The office set and low-rend costumes undercut the novel's wealthy glimmer, highlighting themes of time and money in fresh ways. It challenges the text rather than just illustrating it, creating a thrilling mix of deference and rebellion. Gats is part of the Adelaide Festival and runs until March 15th. If you love immersive theater, this eight and a half hour marathon is earning rave reviews for its attentive magic. This story is made possible by our sponsor. See the episode description. When you want calm, do not reach for your phone. Lay back and listen. S-o-l-i-soli-pilo.com