Review: The Last Five Years at the Greenwich Theatre

The Last Five Years

Greenwich Theatre

Reviewed on Saturday 17th May 2014

I was majorly excited after discovering The Last Five Years was returning to London, it’s a musical I've heard so much about. Following its premiere in Chicago in 2001, The Last Five Years was staged off-Broadway in 2002 and has since been performed all over the world.

Sung through, Jason Robert Brown's musical is about the five-year relationship between rising novelist Jamie Wellerstein and struggling actress Cathy Hyatt. Cathy's story is told in reverse whilst Jamie's is told chronologically with the pair only making eye contact when their timelines meet during the wedding section.

I've only recently become familiar with Brown's work, although now that The Bridges of Madison County is one of my all-time favourite scores (and shows) he is fast becoming one of my all-time favourite composers as I discover more and more of his incredible work. 

Any actor who takes on one of the roles in The Last Five Years has a very easy, yet extraordinarily challenging job. It's easy because the material is beautiful - it's unbelievably strong. It doesn’t need riffs or re-working, it’s simply stunning. However, it's extremely challenging as the pressure to give the material justice must be immense. There is nowhere to hide, The Last Five Years is an exposing show which requires its cast to reveal their heart and soul.

I was blown away by Jon Robyns’ performance as Jamie. His slight quirkiness immediately enabled the audience to fall in love with the character. I've never thought this before, but Robyns reminded me so much of Gavin Creel and would make a sensational Elder Price in The Book of Mormon! His vocals are so smooth and he has an incredible ability to tell a story through song.

Cathy is a vocal challenge for Over The Rainbow winner Danielle Hope. It was great to see her take on a completely different role; Cathy couldn't be any more different from Dorothy or Éponine, yet she marched on stage fearlessly. It was wonderful to see Hope showcasing her comical ability during 'Climbing Uphill/Audition Sequence', she was hilarious! 

Ultimately I found the show a little formulaic. Jamie and Cathy take turns to walk on and off stage to sing their solo numbers… occasionally their presence overlaps. There is so much more room for exciting direction and imagery. That said, I could quite happily close my eyes and listen to the score on repeat for ever more.

I was sat fairly far back in the Greenwich Theatre so perhaps missed out on some of the detail. The Last Five Years would work perfectly in a more intimate fringe venue such as the Union or Jermyn Street. I must mention the band who were absolutely terrific. 

Jason Robert Brown is a musical god, and I hope we don't have to wait too long for his latest musical, The Bridges of Maidison County, to cross over the pond! (Every musical theatre fan/geek should have the cast album on their iPod!) The Last Five Years is a moving show, it’s nice to see something so simple rely purely on its material and the talent of its small company.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

For further information about the Greenwich Theatre visit www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk. The production transfers to the Brighton Fringe between Wednesday 21st and Saturday 24th May 2014. Click here for tickets.

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