Written by: Jason Robert Brown
Starring: Jono Freebairn and Jordin Moore
Vocal Director: Kirsty Skomski
Co-Directors: Mel Martin-Booker and Kate Martin-Booker
Producer: Hamilton Musical Theatre
Riverlea Theatre
3 – 17 August 2024
The Last Five Years is a musical about a relationship in which Jamie Wellerstein’s story is told chronologically whereas Cathy Hiatt’s story is told in reverse. The characters storylines only coincide once, at the point where they get married. Jamie (Jono Freebairn) is a rising novelist whereas Cathy (Jordin Moore) is a struggling actress.
This production is a marked difference from Hamilton Musical Theatre’s recent blockbuster shows. As the Arts scene in Kirikiriroa continues to thrive with multiple productions bookending and colliding with this one, it was a brave choice. For the leads, this entirely sung-through musical allows them to traverse a myriad of emotions and really push their performance limits as multiple genres are explored including jazz, folk, pop and blues.
Freebairn is a familiar face to those who have seen him appear in countless kids shows. He also has a raft of experience from appearing in plays, musicals, and on film and television. This background has made Freebairn comfortable on stage, and his stature adds to the allurement. Although he did not possess the traditional vocal skills required of this technically challenging role, he was steadfast in his delivery and had moments of real connection with the audience.
Moore has appeared on stages across Aotearoa, and has taught Performing Arts in Saudi Arabia. The Last Five Years was her inaugural outing with Hamilton Musical Theatre. As Cathy, Moore shone in the scenes where she could show off her vocal, acting and dance capabilities. The audition scene was a standout for technique and bringing the laughs.
Maria Eaton curated appropriate and flawlessly fitted costumes. Katy Woodcock’s hair and makeup design was understated perfection. Mark Perry’s lighting design complemented both the set and projections. Vocal Director Kirsty Skomski brought her extensive experience in guiding Freebairn and Moore’s performances across the many genres.
Co-Directors Mel and Kate Martin-Booker took on a challenging piece that with only two cast members and no live band there is no place to hide. However, their additions of enticing projections onto a wall behind an imaginative set added another dimension to this work. There were times where a character changed costumes while the other was performing, but it didn’t pull focus from the performance of the other. The Martin-Bookers brought all their strengths to this production and should be applauded for their collaborative approach on The Last Five Years.
Unfortunately, the programme designer wasn’t named in the programme, but it was ingenious and fun. My initial panic about a faulty print run was soon eased when I realised the correlation between it and the musical. Well done.
If you’re after something a bit different from Hamilton Musical Theatre’s normal productions, then The Last Five Years is an up-to-date version of a show with a non-linear narrative that explores relationships through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Photos: Kerry Blakeney-Williams
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