Review: THE LAST 5 YEARS, Garrick Theatre

Photo credit: Helen Maybanks

A grand piano welcomes you into the Garrick Theatre on London’s prestigious West End. It sits silent, haunting in the blue and white haze. The joy of a revival is that some of the audience already have an idea of what’s to come and after a successful run in the Southwark Playhouse in 2020, this transfer was highly anticipated. The story is likely familiar to most and therefore one can just sit back, relax and enjoy the new nuances and structure that director Jonathan O’Boyle has injected into Jason Robert Brown’s 2001 masterpiece. 

A brief story recap for those who are unfamiliar. The Last 5 Years follows Jamie and Cathy through their five year relationships but starting at opposite ends of the five year period. Cathy starts heartbroken and angry at the end of the relationship and Jamie, joyful and boyish at the beginning. There is only one point in the show when the two share the same time in space which is their wedding, and then we see Jamie’s hurt and bitterness as the relationship sours and Cathy’s joy at falling in love with the person she hopes to spend the rest of her life with. The story charts work struggles and successes and how they attempt to support and encourage each other along the way.

Oli Higginson is a triumph as Jamie. Arguably he has the easier ride starting at the beginning of the relationship high on life and full of boyish charm. The little tuft of hair that refuses to lie flat, untucked shirt and giddy charm. Higginson is instantly likable and delivers unbounded energy and vocals that sore. The character progression as Jamie ages is well defined and as his success goes to his head, Higginson still manages to keep you onside, applauding his success despite his lack of awareness or appreciation of Cathy. 

Molly Lynch is captivating as Cathy. As the audience files in full of joy and anticipation, Lynch has the unenviable job of pulling everyone into Cathy’s pain as she grieves the ending of her marriage and loss of her best friend. She does so with such a sharp stillness that you don’t want to shuffle in your seat and disturb the moment. Lynch then faces the challenge of working backwards melting from pain into joy, which she does so with elegance and class. As she grows younger, she develops an almost vaudeville charm which has you smiling whenever it’s her turn to sing. 

George Dyer’s orchestrations are emotive and powerful. The grand piano that lures you in is well used throughout. Both Higginson and Lynch competent pianists; they take it in turns to accompany one another, adding a further layer of interaction as they pull each other into different time zones. Lee Newby’s set is simple and powerful, L5Y written in lights that pulse and glow in tune with the movement and moment. 

Within the 90-minute running time, O’Boyle gives each number time to breathe, adds dialogue and weaves the action in and around the piano well. The lack of interval ensures that the show does not lose momentum and allows you to piece together each story as they reference one another across the five year period. Brown doesn’t stack the cards quite fairly and this production emphasises that as poor Cathy doesn’t stack up to Jamie, it is severely lacking a female perspective at times; but this is no reflection on Higginson or Lynch. They are a force to be reckoned with and should you get the opportunity, it is well worth seeing.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Alanna Boden

The Last 5 Years plays at the Garrick Theatre until Sunday 17 October, with tickets available here.