York Theatre To Host Bold New Adaptation Of The Great Gatsby By Local Company

From the 14th to 16th May, Theatre@41 in York will host a brand-new production of The Great Gatsby, performed by local repertory company Pop Yer Clogs Theatre. Following a busy run of productions over the last couple of years including The Importance of Being Earnest, Alice in Wonderland, The Wind in the Willows and Jekyll and Hyde, the company returns with a fresh and inventive take on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel.

First published in 1925, The Great Gatsby is widely regarded as one of the defining works of twentieth-century literature, capturing the glamour, excess, and underlying disillusionment of the Jazz Age. The story follows Nick Carraway as he becomes entangled in the world of the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and the glittering yet fragile lives of those around him.

What makes The Great Gatsby so compelling is the way it presents a world that feels vibrant and full of life on the surface, but underneath is driven by illusion, desire, and ultimately disappointment. Nick is right at the centre of that, trying to make sense of people and events that don’t always add up. This adaptation really leans into his perspective, his uncertainty, his bias, and invites the audience to question just how much of what they’re seeing can truly be trusted.Rob Cotterill, who plays Nick CarrawayThis new adaptation offers a bold reimagining of the original text, placing the story in the aftermath of its events. Set within George Wilson’s abandoned garage, this production introduces a new framing device in which Nick Carraway must recount the events of the summer of 1922 to a gang of thieves… or risk his life! This high-stakes retelling brings a darker edge to the story, highlighting the tragedy at its core.

Erin Keogh, co-director of the production, says: “We thought this would be a great piece for Pop Yer Clogs to do as it’s very high energy and fast paced, but also something completely different for us. The Great Gatsby is a fantastic piece of literature already, but to really put a Pop Yer Clogs stamp on it, we’ve introduced this new framing device, where Nick must recount the story of that fateful summer, or his life will be cut short. It raises the stakes and allows us to explore the darker, tragic elements of the story alongside its livelier moments.”
The production also embraces a unique approach to character and performance, with most of the cast remaining a mystery to audiences.

Harry Murdoch, co-director, explains:“In the original novel, there’s a lot of mystery surrounding Gatsby’s identity, and even Nick doesn’t know who he is at first. We wanted to capture that sense of intrigue by keeping most of our casting a secret. Aside from Rob Cotterill as Nick, the rest of the cast multi-role throughout, so audiences won’t know who’s playing Gatsby until the moment he reveals himself. We hope it recreates that same sense of surprise, leaving you as blindsided as Nick.”


Pop Yer Clogs Theatre continues to build a reputation for inventive and imaginative storytelling, and this latest production promises a visually dynamic and engaging interpretation of a literary classic.

The Great Gatsby will run from the 14th to 16th May at 7:30 pm each evening, with a 2:30 Matinee on the Saturday. Tickets and further information can be found HERE.