We sat down with Jessica to find out more about why she wanted to be part of this brand-new adaptation, what she thinks about performing at the Roman Theatre in St Albans and much more…
1. Could you tell us a bit about the character(s) you’re playing in this brand-new adaptation of The Great Gatsby?
I’ll be playing Daisy Buchanan, the complicated heart of Gatsby’s dream, caught between love, illusion, and the weight of her choices. I also play Belle, a cabaret performer at the Green Light Club, where she and her fellow performers retell Gatsby’s story. Through Belle, I shift between other characters the main players encounter, helping to bring the world of the play vividly to life.
2. What drew you to audition for this production?
I was drawn to audition because working with such a respected theatre company like OVO at the Roman Theatre felt like a really exciting opportunity and a new experience for me. Daisy is also such an iconic character that I was thrilled to explore for the audition.
3. How would you describe Daisy Buchanan’s personality and motivations?
Daisy is charming and a little kooky, she loves playing with language to captivate people and keep their attention. She’s used to being adored. At the same time, she’s sheltered by the world she comes from, where wealth and status come first, and where it’s easy to escape responsibility for her actions. Deep down, she wants to be loved for who she is, but she’s caught between that desire and the safety of a familiar, privileged life. That struggle shapes everything she does.
4. What is your interpretation of Daisy’s famous line: “I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool”?
To me, Daisy’s line shows she understands the expectations placed on women. She’s not celebrating being a “fool,” but suggesting that in a world that values beauty over depth, it might be easier not to see everything clearly, so that you can be protected from hurt.
5. Daisy has to make some morally ambiguous choices – how would you portray that on stage without losing the audience’s empathy?
That’s a really interesting question. I think with a character like Daisy, it’s less about holding on to the audience’s empathy and more about letting them sit with the discomfort of her choices. As actors, our job is to find a way in without judgement, just to understand her and play her truthfully. If that challenges something in the audience, I think that’s a good thing.
6. What has been the most challenging part of this role?
The most challenging part of this role has been navigating such a well-known and heavily analysed character. The Great Gatsby is a classic, and audiences will come with strong ideas about Daisy. Working to find her beyond the layers of symbolism and expectation, and letting go of the pressure to meet every interpretation, allows for a version of her that feels human and grounded for this adaptation.
7. Tell us about this new adaptation and how it’s remaining true and/or differing?
Mark O’Sullivan’s adaptation stays true to the heart of Fitzgerald’s novel, the longing, the humour, and the quiet decay beneath it all. One of the many things that sets this version apart is how the story is told. A group of cabaret performers, including my character Belle, create the framework alongside the iconic narrator Nick Carraway, stepping in and out of the action—sometimes observing, sometimes becoming the characters themselves to tell the story.
The piece is jazz-soaked, with live music woven throughout. Our music director, Andrew McCormack, has crafted an electric score featuring songs of the era that perfectly complement the story. We have a clever and dynamic set designed by Simon Nicholas that we’ve been exploring in rehearsals, all under the brilliant and visionary direction of Kelly Stewart. Once we add the gorgeous costumes designed by Ciéranne Kennedy-Bell, absolutely of the 1920s, the world will feel fully realised into a glorious, fresh take on the classic.
Jessica Vickers, Jonathan Tynan-Moss, David Healy and Rochelle Jack from The Great Gatsby, OVO. Photo Credit: Hannah Couzens
8. What can you tell us about the choreography in the show so far?
The choreography in the show has been really exciting to work on. Ryan Munroe has created movement that feels true to the era, which helps immerse us in the world of the play. It’s detailed, expressive, and adds a real sense of texture to the scenes.
9. How have you found the rehearsal room?
The rehearsal room has been fantastic – a really positive and creative space. Kelly has been amazing at guiding us, and working closely with Mark, writer, has brought even more depth to the process. Everyone’s been so supportive and focused, which makes it easier to dive into the characters and the story. It’s been exciting to experiment and explore the play together in such a collaborative environment.
10. What are you most looking forward to about performing at the Roman Theatre in St Albans?
I’m most looking forward to performing at the Roman Theatre in St Albans because it’s a place steeped in thousands of years of storytelling. Open-air theatre has such a unique energy as it brings performers and audiences together in a shared moment within the natural world. The Roman Theatre, with its rich history and incredible atmosphere, adds a special kind of magic that I can’t wait to experience.
You can see The Great Gatsby at the Roman Theatre Open Air Festival from 8th – 24th August.
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