READING Rep Theatre has announced who is set to star in a new revival of Jason Robert Brown’s modern musical, The Last Five Years.
The show tells the story of Cathy and Jamie as they chart the rise and fall of their five-year relationship from two opposite timelines–but their stories cross only once: at their wedding.
It marks the first musical by the company and will see Martha Kirby take on the role of Cathy, following a run in immersive musical Club NVRLND at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Kirby’s previous major credits include Eva Peron in Evita, at Leicester Curve Theatre, Raven in the UK tour of Bat Out Of Hell, and Sandy in the UK tour of Grease.
Guy Woolf, who will play Jamie, follows his performance as Reyzl the Dame in Yankl and the Beanstalk, at London’s Pleasance Theatre.
Previous credits include Dennis in As You Like It at The Globe, alternate Sonny in the UK & Ireland tour of The Cher Show, and Electra in Becoming Electra: A Queer Mitzvah at The Roundhouse, Nottingham Playhouse, and Hope Mill Theatre.
The show will also feature a score by Tony Award–winning composer Jason Robert Brown, and be directed by Hal Chambers, (Henry The First of England, Rabble Theatre)
It features set and costume design by Ethan Cheek (Twelfth Night with the National Youth Theatre), lighting design by Jonathan Chan (Get Happy at Omnibus Theatre), choreographer and movement director Georgina Lamb (Much Ado About Nothing at The Globe).
Music direction will come from Ellie Verkerk (School for Scandal with Royal Shakespeare Company) and casting direction from Harry Blumenau.
It is presented in collaboration with The Barn Theatre, Cirencester and Theatre Royal Bath.
Paul Stacey, Founding Artistic Director and CEO of Reading Rep Theatre, said: “We are thrilled to be working with such exceptional talent.
“Martha and Guy bring extraordinary experience and star power to The Last Five Years, ensuring that our first musical at Reading Rep will be a landmark production for our company and our audiences”
Director Hal Chambers said: “I’ve wanted to direct The Last Five Years for over twenty years. I’m a passionate admirer of Jason Robert Brown’s extraordinary work – its storytelling, music, and emotional depth are unmatched.
“Our production will lean into bold imagery and movement to explore the ghosts of a relationship and the raw beauty of love and heartbreak.
“The music is breath-taking–joyful, witty, devastating–and I can’t wait to bring it to life with our cast.”
The Last Five Years is showing at Reading Rep Theatre from Friday, September 19–Saturday, October 11.
Full details and tickets available via: readingrep.com/whats-on/the-last-five-years
