Cast confirmed for The Last Five Years revival

Cast has been revealed for the Barn Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath and Reading Rep co-production of Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years.

The production will open at Reading Rep Theatre from 19 September to 11 October, before transferring to the Barn Theatre from 17 October to 15 November and then to the Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath from 25 November to 3 January. A national press night will be held at Reading Rep Theatre on 23 September.

Martha Kirby will play Cathy, while Guy Woolf will play Jamie. Director Hal Chambers said today: “I’ve wanted to direct The Last Five Years for over 20 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.”

The creative team includes set and costume designer Ethan Cheek, lighting designer Jonathan Chan, sound designer Matthew Giles, choreographer and movement director Georgina Lamb and music director Ellie Verkerk, with casting by Harry Blumenau.

Brown’s musical follows the relationship between Jamie and Cathy over five years, with Jamie’s story told chronologically and Cathy’s in reverse.