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Artist News
Florence Welch writes lyrics and music for Great Gatsby musical
By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 29 April 2021
What’s Florence Welch been doing in lockdown? That’s what we’re all wondering, isn’t it? Well, turns out she’s been writing a musical. Adapting F Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ into a big sing-song. That sounds good, doesn’t it? Does it? I don’t know.
Welch is responsible for all the lyrics in the show, while she co-wrote the music with composer and producer Thomas Bartlett. The story itself has been adapted by Martyna Majok, the show is being directed by Rebecca Frecknall, and the producers are good old Len Blavatnik and Amanda Ghost.
“This book has haunted me for a large part of my life”, says Welch. “It contains some of my favourite lines in literature. Musicals were my first love, and I feel a deep connection to Fitzgerald’s broken romanticism. It is an honour to have been offered the chance to recreate this book in song”.
Ghost adds: “Florence’s passion for Gatsby and exceptional musical storytelling will bring this iconic love story to life in ways we have never experienced before. Martyna and Rebecca are two of the most exciting theatre artists of their generation and, together, this extraordinary team brings a thrilling new perspective to one of the most culturally significant books of all time. It’s been 100 years since ‘The Great Gatsby’ was published and there could be no better time for a new musical adaptation of the greatest party America ever threw”.
A date for the show’s premiere is yet to be announced. The original cast recording of Welch’s songs is also set to be released on Warner Music.
