”All I kept thinking about, over and over, was ‘You can’t live forever; you can’t live forever.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald – the great gatsby

PR event*
Tucked away on a street just a stones throw from Bond Street station is Gatsby’s Mansion. A typically beautiful London building that blends in perfectly with all the other multi million pound townhouses. And its here you will find the immersive world of The Great Gatsby.

Step back in time to the roaring 20’s, a hedonistic world of red hot rhythms, bootleg liquor and pure jazz age self-indulgence. Once you step inside Gatsby’s Mansion you are promised that you will be transported into one of Gatsby’s wild parties where you can party while watching all the drama unfold… A promise of a TRULY immersive experience from Immersive London.

Dressing to the nines…

Once you book your tickets and get your invite to Gatsbys Mansion, you best prepare to get into the spirit and dress to impress! I found some awesome accessories and a flapper dress on Amazon of all places! You are strongly encouraged to dress up in full 20’s get up. Of course, it isnt compulsory to dress up but its all part of the fun. I absolutely felt way more immersed in Gatbys world with my flapper dress on!

When you arrive to Gatsby’s mansion, WOW! Theres a full red carpet at the entrance and every person you meet, even before you’ve walked through the doors, is in character. American 20’s accents, mannerisms and enthusiasm for days. It was absolutely over the top and absolutely perfect for the event honestly, the thing is with immersive events, EVERYONE has to be fully involved… from the host at the door to the bar workers to the cloakroom attendant, and thats exactly how the staff were at Gatsby’s mansion. I feel weird even calling them staff to be fair, everyone we met felt like actors, in the best way.

Before entering the show space, you are reminded that you absolutely are not allowed to use your phones for any pictures or videos. This turned out to be a really fab rule as the night went on…

Champagne & Bootleg Liquor…

On the menu are a selection of unique and classic cocktails alike including a lethal Old Fashioned, typical of the 1920’s. You can also enjoy champagne by the glass, no prosecco here!

Pure class everywhere you turn. The bar is closed during the show however, I understand why this is, you dont want anyone ordering drinks and talking over the show while its happening and as it all happens in the same large room, I can see how this would be distracting. HOWEVER, when the show is as long as it is (roughly 2 hours 30 minutes, including a 10 minute interval) you definitely notice not having a drink after a while. I certainly was quite parched half way through the second act.

The show itself… what can I say. It was really something special. Before the performance even begins the actors are walking around, interacting with the crowds, really keeping your immersed.

Whether you have read the book, seen the film or go into it knowing nothing about The Great Gatsby at all, the show caters for all.

Stunning acting with personality…

I am going to try my best to remain spoiler free throughout the review but let me tell you this, even though Iv seen the film multiple times and know the book well, I was able to watch the show as if it were my first time!

The actors & actresses were just incredible, so interactive and deep in their roles. A stand out performance for me was Aminita Francis as Myrtle. Myrtle in the immersive experience had so much character, so much heart and soul. My friend and I agreed, we couldn’t take our eyes off her whenever she was in a scene. Even if she wasn’t the focus.

Another standout performance was Lucinda Turner as Daisy. Lucinder Turner portrayed the perfect Daisy, such gorgeous innocence without being naive, you find Daisy endearing and intriguing but also just out of reach. Quite enchanting to watch even! Its so easy to adore her and its gorgeous watching the progression throughout the show, Daisy knows the effect she has on Gatsby and keeps him at just the right distance… without ever pushing him away.

We even had a little dancing lesson after one of the scenes, which was very fun but I must admit, I was not great!

If you stand towards the corners of the audience during the performance you might even be lucky enough to be part of some of the small groups whisked away to see a separate, more intimate scene. Set in a separate location in Gatsby’s Mansion, whether thats a bedroom, a drawing room or a library, you’ll be part of a small group who get to see this side scene and it really is something quite special.

You may be whisked away behind a curtain or a heavy oak door, wherever you go, you’ll have a unique experience to any other. Its also a very smart move if you think about it, you could go to The Great Gatsby multiple times and never have the same experience, it certainly has me wanting to go back to see all the unique side scenes.

Gorgeous Production, Stunning Acting…

The Great Gatsby from Immersive London is a unique experience which absolutely should be seen at least once. I hate even saying ‘seen’ because its so different to seeing other shows, you dont just SEE The Great Gatsby, you truly are immersed in it.

No phones are allowed to be used in the performance space and during the show and trust me, its a absolutely cracking rule! Watching the show, noone had their phones out taking videos or selfies, made a world of difference to the atmosphere!

If you are going to go then I absolutely suggest getting dressed up in and in the spirit, get involved, talk with the staff and the actors and really, truly embrace the whole experience. Another thing to note, while there are some places you’ll be able to sit, I would still recommend comfortable shoes! To really get immersed in the full experience you’ll want to be in the crowd, exploring the scenes and dancing with the cast when you can.

Where to find Gatsby’s Mansion…

The Great Gatsby is run by Immersive LDN and takes place at Gatsby Manor (56 Davies Street) in Mayfair.
The nearest Tube station is Bond Street.

How long is The Great Gatsby show?

The running time of The Great Gatsby immersive experience is two hours and 30 minutes, including an interval. However I would allow for additional time before and after the show as there is plenty of time to enjoy drinks and interact with the cast. PLUS after the show they allow you to take pictures.

Is there a dress code?

There is no set dress code for The Great Gatsby immersive show, but it’s recommended to wear 1920s-style clothing to make the most of the experience.

To book tickets and for more information head to the Website here