The Last Five Years

Sitting in the front row watching Verity Hunt-Ballard (Cathy) and Josh Piterman (Jamie) go hammer and tongs was an electrifying experience.

I felt like, not a member of an audience, but, a voyeur inside their bedroom watching their relationship finish, start then middle.  

The episodes of their relationship drag across each other like tides going in opposite directions on the beach. One is a successful Jewish writer surrounded by temptation, the other a struggling actress.

Seamlessly assisting the transition was the set by Daniel Harvey. It was a delicately constructed bedhead, come book case which had a space in the middle for a double bed to be inserted, removed or twirled as required.

Also aided by a hot orchestra under the direction of Daniel Puckey the two were given a platform to shine.

Both Verity and Josh seized the opportunity – displaying terrific acting class on top of their clear diction and compelling voices.

From Josh, most striking was his development from a smitten boyfriend to a frustrated spouse.

From Verity, her character’s auditions were exquisitely funny. What skill you need to portray someone who is a struggling performer. She absolutely nailed Jason Robert Brown’s hilarious song which sends up what an auditionee might be thinking during a song.

This an entertaining masterclass of the best of music theatre.

David Spicer

Images: James Terry Photography