BARN THEATRE, READING REP THEATRE AND THEATRE ROYAL BATH PRESENT... 'FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS'

'THE LAST FIVE YEARS'

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY TONY AWARD WINNING JASON ROBERT BROWN

DIRECTED BY HAL CHAMBERS

READING REP THEATRE

FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER

BARN THEATRE, CIRENCESTER

FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 15 NOVEMBER

THEATRE ROYAL BATH

TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER – Saturday 3 JANUARY

The Barn Theatre, Reading Rep and Theatre Royal Bath are delighted to announce the creative team for the Built by Barn Musical of The Last Five Years.

A Barn Theatre, Reading Rep and Theatre Royal Bath Co-Production written by Tony Award winning Jason Robert Brown.The Last Five Years will appear at Reading Rep Theatre between Friday 19 September – Saturday 12 October, moving onto the Barn Theatre, Cirencester on Friday 17 October - Saturday 15 November before heading to Theatre Royal Bath from Thursday 25 November – Saturday 3 January, with a National press performance at Reading Rep Theatre on Tuesday 23 September. Please enquire to Aeron James via: aeron@aeronjames.com

The Last Five Years

Joining writer Jason Robert Brown, The Last Five Years will be directed by Hal Chambers (Yippee Ki Yay with Seabright Productions, As We Face The Sun at Rose Bruford College, The Holly King and The Oak King at Battersea Arts Centre) with set and costume design by Ethan Cheek (This is My Family at Southwark Playhouse, The Woman is White at Electric Theatre, Twelfth Night with the National Youth Theatre), lighting design by Jonathan Chan (Sinbad the Sailor at Sadlers Wells, Get Happy at Omnibus Theatre, Volpane at Central School of Speech and Drama), choreographer and movement director will be Georgina Lamb (Great British Bake Off: The Musical on the West End, Much Ado About Nothing at The Globe, Macbeth at Leeds Playhouse), music direction from Ellie Verkerk  (School for Scandal with Royal Shakespeare Company, Starter For Ten at Bristol Old Vic, Oh What A Lovely War at Blackeyed Theatre) and Harry Blumenau will be on casting direction.

The Last Five Years explores the rollercoaster journey of two New Yorkers as they navigate their five-year marriage asking the question, “Can this couple that were once bonded by a shared love of creativity remain united as their lives move in different directions?”

Jamie’s side of the story starts at the beginning, filled with the fizz of new romance and continues chronologically, while Cathy’s retelling begins at the end, reflecting a much sadder reality and moving backwards. Indicative of the turbulent reality of love on the rocks, The Last Five Years is a beautiful and truly impactful musical that will be on your mind long after the final curtain.

Director Hal Jones said “I’ve wanted to direct The Last Five Years for over twenty years. Though my background lies in classical adaptations and new writing, this is the one musical I’ve always dreamed of staging. I’m a passionate admirer of Jason Robert Brown’s extraordinary work - its storytelling, music, and emotional depth are unmatched. The narrative structure, with Cathy moving backwards through time and Jamie forwards, creates a compelling theatrical puzzle reminiscent of a Christopher Nolan film. It feels like a haunting memory play - dreamlike, poetic, and full of magical realism. Our production will lean into that, using 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. Performed in intimate venues, our vision promises a deeply personal and emotionally resonant Last Five Years that captures the show’s unique intimacy and power.”

Barn Theatre Chief Executive and Artistic Director Iwan Lewis and Executive Director and Producer Liam McMullan said, “We are so excited to be teaming up with Reading Rep and Theatre Royal Bath to take on The Last Five Years. It’s raw, honest, and packed with heart and with this dream creative team, we can’t wait to bring a fresh take to this modern musical classic.”

Reading Rep Theatre Executive Director Nick Thompson and Founding Artistic Director Paul Stacey said, "We’re thrilled to be working in partnership with the Barn Theatre and Theatre Royal Bath to reimagine one of the most powerful musicals of the 21st century. The Last Five Years is a masterpiece, bold, intimate and emotionally resonant, and with this extraordinary team of creatives at the helm, we’re confident this revival will be both timely and timeless. This collaboration exemplifies the very best of regional theatre: shared vision, exceptional talent and a deep commitment to producing work of the highest calibre for audiences across the country. We can't wait to open it in Reading"Director of Theatre Royal Bath Danny Moar and Ustinov Studio Manager and Assistant Producer Kate Johnson said: “We are thrilled to bring a new production of this beloved musical to audiences, together with the Barn Theatre and Reading Rep, plus brilliant creative team. A beautiful score from Jason Robert Brown soars in this powerful and emotive story, for anyone who has ever loved.”