The Barn Theatre, Reading Rep Theatre and Theatre Royal Bath co-production of Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years will open in Reading this week, running from 19 September to 11 October (the press performance is 23 September).
The Built by Barn musical, starring Martha Kirby (Club NVRLND, Evita) and Guy Woolf (The Cher Show, As You Like It), will then move on to the Barn Theatre, Cirencester (17 October to 15 November) before heading to Theatre Royal Bath’s Ustinov Studio (25 November to 3 January).
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.
Martha Kirby, playing Cathy, was recently seen as Wendy in the world premiere of the immersive musical Club NVRLND at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025. Previous credits include Eva Peron in Evita at Leicester Curve, Raven in the UK tour of Bat Out of Hell and Sandy in the UK tour of Grease.
Guy Woolf, playing Jamie, was recently seen as Reyzl the Dame in Yankl and the Beanstalk at London’s Pleasance Theatre. Previous credits include Dennis in As You Like It at The Globe, alternate Sonny in the UK and Ireland tour of The Cher Show and Electra in Becoming Electra: A Queer Mitzvah at The Roundhouse, Nottingham Playhouse and Hope Mill Theatre.
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). In the band are Ellie Verkeck (piano), Wills Mercado (guitar), Angus Tikka (bass guitar) and Rebecca Demmer (cello).
Chambers is joined in the creative team by set and costume designer Ethan Cheek (This is My Family at Southwark Playhouse), lighting designer Jonathan Chan (Sinbad the Sailor at Sadler’s Wells), choreographer and movement director Georgina Lamb (Great British Bake Off: The Musical, West End), music director Ellie Verkerk (School for Scandal, Royal Shakespeare Company) and casting director Harry Blumenau.
Chambers said: “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.”
Reading Rep Theatre is a leading regional producing theatre based in Reading, Berkshire. Since its founding in 2012, the company has built a reputation for bold programming, inventive adaptations and boundary-pushing revivals – often in collaboration with some of the UK’s most acclaimed theatres. The venue’s work has garnered national critical acclaim, touring regionally, nationally and internationally – while remaining rooted in the community it serves.
The 2025/26 season marks a new high point for the company, featuring co-productions with the Barn Theatre and Theatre Royal Bath, following their successful co-productions with the Watermill Theatre and London’s Jermyn Street Theatre, reflecting Reading Rep’s growing national profile.
The Last Five Years runs at Reading Rep Theatre, Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LY from 19 September to 11 October (press night is 23 September). Show times: 7.30pm and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Ticket prices: Monday-Wednesday £22-£24.50/Thursday-Sunday £24.50-£26.50. £5 tickets for under-30s from 19-22 September. Use code 30UNDER to apply discount in your online basket or when calling the Box Office team on 0118 370 2620. Running time: 120 minutes. Age Suitability: 12-plus.
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