The Last Five Years

book, music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Singapore Repertory Theatre
KC Arts Centre, Singapore

The Singapore Repertory Theatre kicks off its 2025 season with this bijou, bittersweet musical by Jason Robert Brown. Directed by Daniel Jenkins, this Off-Broadway hit features acclaimed local singer-songwriters Inch Chua and Nathan Hartono as struggling actress Cathy and successful novelist Jamie navigating a tumultuous five-year relationship.

The story is a familiar one of romance and heartbreak but Brown's conceit is to tell the tale from two contrasting perspectives. With Cathy, we start at the very end of the relationship, as she contemplates the end of her marriage. Jamie's story, on the other hand, proceeds in chronological order, beginning with him in the heady throes of love. The actors perform each number solo, only meeting in the middle when their storylines beautifully converge.

There are shades of Nick Payne's Constellations and Harold Pinter's Betrayal here (both, incidentally, plays staged by SRT and performed on this very stage) and the charm of the show is that it feels like a jigsaw puzzle, with pieces slowly being fed to the audience until the full picture finally comes into view. The themes are universal and relatable, from falling in and out of love, dealing with career pressures and trying to make one's mark in the world.

The two actors have an easy chemistry that makes them a joy to watch. It's been over a dozen years since I saw Hartono in Spring Awakening and he proves himself just as adept at commanding the stage, with an easygoing, foppish charm, all loose limbs and cheeky smiles. He is nicely matched by vocal powerhouse Chua, whose quieter, more intense persona makes her emotional numbers soar. The charismatic duo effortlessly sing and play musical instruments throughout the almost entirely sung-through show.

Jenkins directs the taut, 90-minute production with the right mix of restraint and tenderness. We are left guessing if these two characters, who keep circling each other, will interact in real-time. When their hands finally touch, it feels positively electric. Diego Pitarch's industrial-chic set and Gillian Tan's evocative lights provide a stylish backdrop for the romance to unravel.

It's refreshing to see a show that doesn't stick to the usual romantic cliches and portrays modern relationships with all their cracks and complexities. Forget overpriced flowers, go treat your special someone to a ticket this Valentine's Day.

The Crystalwords score: 3.5/5