Musical auditions not confined by "societal norms"

Friday 09 December 2022

The search is on for actors to perform in a locally produced two-handed musical adaptation of ‘The Last Five Years’.

Music Theatre Guernsey is planning to put on the show next August.

They want to find three different casts, who will have three different sets and will work through three different rehearsal processes to explore different interpretations of the musical.

The Last Five Years is a two-handed musical written by Jason Robert Brown. It follows the five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein; an aspiring author and Cathy Hiatt; an aspiring actor.

Jamie’s story is told in chronological order, starting just after the couple have first met. Cathy’s story is told in reverse, beginning the show at the end of their marriage. The characters interact in the middle of the show for a song showing their engagement and marriage.

Pictured: The performance is being staged by Musical Theatre Guernsey.

Elizabeth Beacom is working on the show as Production Lead and Musical Director. She said as a musician herself it has long been a favourite show of hers. 

"The Last Five Years has been a firm favourite of mine since discovering the show whilst in Sixth Form. It is definitely a 'musicians’ show', being sung through with very little dialogue. Where there is dialogue, it is always punctuated by music. I’ve always wanted to see how the show could be approached with different casts, sets and production."

The show will run from 9 - 16 August 2023 at the Fermain Tavern. Each cast will perform three times and on Saturday 12 August all three casts will perform, allowing die-hard fans to binge on the show.

Ms Beacom said she is really looking forward to seeing how it all works out. She is now looking to cast a couple and she is very open minded about who might be in that pair. 

"We have already invited two casts to deliver two particular interpretations that we are interested in exploring. However, I don’t want the fact that two casts have been invited to put people off.

"We are entirely open for our third cast. I do not want our casting to be limited by gender, age or other societal norms.

"All are welcome to audition for Jamie or Cathy or even both!"

The auditions will be on 14 December 2022 at St Saviour's Community Centre from 19:30. Call backs will be next Saturday from 14:00.

Anyone who is interested is encouraged to request an audition pack in the first instance by emailing elizabeth@mtgsy.gg