The Last Five Years

The Attic Theatrical, still a relatively new endeavour on the NSW Central Coast, has brought Jason Robert Brown’s ‘The Last Five Years’ to life at The Playground Theatre at the Central Coast Music Factory, Wyong.  Co-Directors Rob and Natalie Logan have chosen this show for their directorial debuts and they are certainly very passionate about the project.  They have also surrounded themselves with a strong production team including Kimberley Gilbert, Danny-Elle Henderson and Luca Carter.

This show chronicles two twenty-somethings as they fall in and out of love, however their journeys are told in two different directions on the timeline.  Jamie (Brandon Alexander) communicates his side of the story chronologically whereas Cathy (Katelin Divall) begins her version at the end, meaning that we witness her heart-breaking story in reverse.  The end result is that we only see the couple in the same space and time in the middle of the production, at their wedding. The Logans have chosen to assist the audience with this unusual storytelling by adding an occasional, helpful timeline to the beautiful projections that give depth to the scenery. 

Alexander is charismatic and powerful as Jamie.  So much so that the audience still finds him charming and likeable despite the fact that he is not exactly an ideal husband. Divall shows real vulnerability, especially at the start, but then is suitably glowing and buoyant toward the end and we genuinely believe in her love for her man.  The opposing timelines mean that these two are almost always apart, both physically and musically, but the touching duet at the end of the show gives their voices a chance to blend and sums up the show very nicely.  The final nail in the marriage coffin is a very clever simultaneous exit and entrance that symbolises the contrasting viewpoints that Cathy and Jamie have had for the entire production.

Despite the fact that Alexander and Divall are both more than adequate in their roles, the production team have decided to add four featured dancers to this production.  This not only takes a little pressure off the two protagonists but also heightens the emotional experience for the audience.  A special mention here for Hannah Kelly who is somehow an even more captivating and expressive dancer than she was when I choreographed her seven years ago.  Kudos to Henderson for the sensitive choreography that doesn’t overpower the actors ….  A balance that is sometimes hard to get just right.

This show is slick and very tidy.  The scene changes are fast, the projections are clever and the rawness of the emotions doesn’t let up.  Kimberly Grant does an excellent job as the Musical Director and keyboardist and Luca Carter, another prodigiously talented young person, has done a terrific job as the vocal coach.  The future of musical theatre is safe with such talented youth both in the spotlight and behind the scenes.

It must be noted that there is an alternate cast for this production, featuring Bryn Watkeys and Hannah Duggan.  Having worked with both of these performers before, I can only assume that Watkeys will attack the role of Jamie with his usual enthusiasm and that Duggan will bring out the range of emotions required to portray Cathy.

‘The Last Five Years’ will continue at The Playground Theatre at the Central Coast Music Factory, Wyong until Sunday 4^th June.  9 broken hearts out of 10.

Fiona Kelly

Photos by Shayne Leslie