It’s Valentine’s Day, so what better way to celebrate...than to watch a musical about a relationship going wrong!
Not ideal, you say? I’d tend to agree, except The Last Five Years, currently playing at The Old Joint Stock Theatre in Birmingham, had everything a relationship needs; drama, romance, encouragement, ambition and a three-piece band being watched by 100 people!
The story explores a five-year relationship between rising novelist, Jamie Wellerstein (George Stuart) and struggling actress Cathy Hiatt (Laura Poyner). The show can be slightly confusing to follow the first time you watch it as it uses a form of storytelling which see’s Cathy's story told in reverse chronological order (beginning the show at the end of the marriage) and Jamie's is told in chronological order, starting just after the couple have first met.
The characters do not directly interact except for a wedding song in the middle as their timelines intersect. This allows all the attention to be on each character in turn, ensuring that we focus 100% on their story. Coupled with the fact that both performers, the only two on stage, gave such an amazing and convincing performance that you really believed that they were living this alternative and instantly recognisable life.
If you’re looking for an all singing, all dancing, high production values and flashy staging kind of musical then this isn’t for you. Instead, you a presented with the simplest of sets and lighting, stunningly professional vocals and a tiny band that you will want to take away with you to accompany you throughout the day.
Karl Steel’s direction is simple yet effective and their use of the very tiny performance space is clever and brings the audience closer to the performance than some might feel comfortable with.
I was blown away by the performances from both Laura and George. Having seen this before in Edinburgh, I was ready to compare but there is no comparison. This was a faultless performance and you MUST go and see it!
The Last Five Years runs till Sunday 18th February at The Old Joint Stock Theatre in Birmingham. For more information and tickets, visit oldjointstock.co.uk.
