Cast announced for THE LAST FIVE YEARS - a Barn, Reading Rep and Theatre Royal Bath co-Production
The Barn Theatre, Reading Rep Theatre and Theatre Royal Bath have announced casting for their co-production of The Last Five Years, beginning performances in Reading from 19 September-12 October.
Martha Kirby (Club NVRLND, Evita) will play Cathy, and Guy Woolf (The Cher Show, As You Like It) will play Jamie in the Built by Barn production, written by Tony Award winning Jason Robert Brown.
Following Reading, the production will visit Cirencester from 17 October - 15 November and Theatre Royal Bath’s Ustinov Studio from 25 November 2025 – 3 January 2026.
The Last Five Years will be directed by Hal Chambers, with set and costume design by Ethan Cheek, lighting by Jonathan Chan, choreography and movement direction by Georgina Lamb, musical direction by Ellie Verkerk, and casting by Harry Blumenau.
Director Hal Chambers said: “I’ve wanted to direct The Last Five Years for over twenty 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.”