The Last Five Years: The truth about marriage

The Last Five Years, a musical written by Jason Robert Brown will fire up the stage at The Gardens Theatre, Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur starting Sept 25 to 27.

The story explores a five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hiatt, a struggling actress.

The show uses a form of storytelling in which Cathy's story is told in reverse chronological order and Jamie's is told in chronological order. Interestingly, the characters do not directly interact except at their wedding in the middle of the show.

Directed by Nell Ng, the emotionally powerful and intimate musical’s theatre stars Peter Ong and Nadia Aqilah Bajuri.

Ng, who is also an actress and award-winning director, said that she is so in love with the beautiful storyline and melody about the couple who is getting marriage at early age and their roller-coaster five year journey.

“This two-man-show will take audiences comprehend the truth about marriage that reflects a lot in our life

Meet, love and get married is not just matter in a marriage” said Ng who is also nominated as best supporting actress for her role in film Kolumpo at 26th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM26).

The Last Five Years was first performed in Chicago in 2001 and then produced Off-Broadway the following year.

Ng was also impressed with the chemistry between Peter and Nadia, and she and said this is also among the main reason why they were chosen to headline The Last Five Years.

‘Both are very talented, other than a very good chemistry they had, Peter and Nadia also able to bring different interprets in this famous artworks.

They are not just being a good singer” said Ng.

Nadia, who plays Cathy consider this is the best time to take on such a role.

“This story can relate to my own life story as a struggling actress and the challenging part in this musical are the songs and the emotions that need to be taken.

"But I feel so grateful to be given such opportunity to play Cathy and starred alongside my childhood friend, Peter”, said Nadia who knew Peter since she was nine-years-old.

Nadia is also nominated in Most Promising Actress category in FFM26 for her lead role as the iconic Zaiton Sameon in film, Zaiton Ceritaku.

Nadia will also be making her presence felt in the third season of P. Ramlee: The Musical, playing the title role of the legendary primadonna, Saloma in October. Produced by Enfinti Vision Media Sdn Bhd, P. Ramlee: The Musical marks Nadia's second involvement in the musical.

She played Junaidah in the second installment of the production when it was staged at Istana Budaya in 2013. In the third installment actress Lisa Surihani will immortalise the role of Junaidah.

In telling about his role as a romantic Jamie, Tony said, this musical is telling the truth about being a man in modern era.

“Many of the issues highlighted in this musical example a love between a man and a woman and they tie a knot. Until one day, he realsed that he was not ready.

The themes of love and betrayal are universal,” said Peter.

Peter admits that the friendship between him and Nadia has made everything easier in getting every desired for this musical.

Peter has performed with various opera companies around Asia and Australia,including Bangkok Opera, Lyric Opera Malaysia, Singapore Lyric Opera and Co-Opera Australia.

A six-piece 'live' band, a pianist, bassist, guitarist, violinist and two cellist directed under the music direction of Nish Tham will accompany the two actors on stage.

Produced by PAN Productions, The Last Five Years will be staged at 8.30pm. Tickets: RM70. For details, call 016-2171060.