The Last Five Years at Porter’s Cardiff Review
Written by Kia for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
The Last Five Years, directed by Alice Eklund and produced by Wojta Productions in association with Porters Theatre, stars Emma Wallace and Elis Myers-Sleight.
Written and composed by Jason Robert Brown, the musical features the tumultuous relationship between Jamie, a new and promising writer, and Cathy, a budding young actress. Their whirlwind romance unfolds from break-up to meeting and then back to break-up, revealing the factors that ultimately led to the dissolution of their marriage.
Originally produced for the New York stage by Arielle Tepper and Marty Bell, and later by Northlight Theatre in Chicago, USA, the musical is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.
Having only ever seen the film and not listened to the soundtrack in years, I approached The Last Five Years with excitement and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. The writing is incredibly clever and the songs effortlessly transition from humour to heartbreak.
The Porters’ theatre space transformed into a cosy living room, with blankets, books and pictures of the couple. Dotted on the walls, they created an atmosphere so real that I almost believed it was someone’s actual home. The seating on either side made it feel like you were part of the story, in the room with them. It was the perfect setting for the musical, making the experience feel intimate and immersive.
For those unfamiliar with the story, it follows Cathy’s journey from the back to the start while Jamie’s story unfolds from beginning to end. Their only interaction occurs during one song, “The Next Ten Minutes,” right in the middle of the show. Despite the complex narrative, Alice Eklund’s direction made it all make sense. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear to newcomers, and the entire audience leans in, fully invested in the unravelling of Jamie and Cathy’s relationship.
Given the intricate plot, both Emma (Cathy) and Elis (Jamie) face significant challenges. They not only navigate the story but also sing for nearly 90 minutes straight. Their captivating emotional storytelling and impeccable comedic timing are truly remarkable. Elis’s interactions with the audience and Cathy’s auditions are particularly funny, with Emma cleverly interacting with the pianist (and Musical Director David Hallers) as the accompanist for Cathy’s auditions. Having been in an audition room myself, it really resonated with me and had me laughing out loud.
I genuinely believe Porters is the ideal venue for this show. It worked so perfectly, and it felt like a real privilege to be in the room, especially considering its sold-out run. I hope to see many more lesser-known and newer plays and musicals performed here. A space like this is crucial in Cardiff, especially since there aren’t many other venues like it. I also hope to see more from Wojta Productions and the entire cast and creative team, who created something truly special.
Plays until 25 January 2026
★★★★
