The Last Five Years is no ordinary musical—and directing it is no ordinary challenge. With its unique timeline, emotionally charged score, and just two actors driving the story, every detail matters. Director Daniel Jenkins reveals how he’s bringing this love story to life, pushing Nathan Hartono and Inch Chua beyond their comfort zones, and crafting a show that will hit you right in the feels.

1. The Last Five Years uses a unique narrative structure. How did you approach directing such a non-linear story?

The Last Five Years is truly distinctive, particularly in its non-linear storytelling. Our first step was to map out the actual timeline of events to understand the characters’ journeys chronologically. We carefully examined the song order and key moments within their five-year relationship to grasp where each character is emotionally at any given point. To help the audience follow these shifts in time, we incorporated subtle yet clear staging elements as visual and physical cues. Since much of the storytelling is conveyed through lyrics, movement, and staging, attentive audience members will notice the hints woven throughout the show, guiding them through the narrative’s unique structure.

2. With just two characters, the show is highly intimate. How do you create emotional depth in such a confined setting?

The foundation of emotional depth begins in the rehearsal room. Creating a trusting, supportive, and open environment allows everyone to work with honesty and vulnerability. Theatre is a collaborative art form, and I strongly believe that every voice in the room matters. When the space is safe, fun, and encouraging, actors feel empowered to take risks and explore their characters deeply. By fostering camaraderie and trust, we enable the actors to connect authentically, drawing from their own experiences to bring genuine emotion to their performances. This, in turn, allows the audience to engage with the raw and intimate nature of the show.

3. The music is key to this musical. How do you balance the technical demands with the emotional depth of each song?

Jason Robert Brown’s score is brilliant. It is almost a character in itself alongside Cathy and Jamie. However, it’s also incredibly demanding. Our production takes it a step further, as both Inch and Nathan not only sing and act but also play multiple instruments, including piano, guitar, and even kazoo. This requires a high level of skill and coordination, balancing musicality, clarity, blocking, and choreography all at once. Fortunately, both actors are consummate professionals, and they’ve risen to the challenge with incredible dedication. Their ability to merge technical precision with emotional storytelling is what truly brings the music to life.

4. What is it like working with Nathan Hartono and Inch Chua?

It has been a fantastic experience working with both of them. While I’ve known of Inch and Nathan for some time, this is our first time collaborating. They’ve been incredibly receptive to feedback and have contributed meaningfully to the creative process. Though they are experienced performers in the music world, acting is a different challenge, one that initially took them out of their comfort zones. However, it has been a joy to watch their confidence grow and their characters develop throughout the process. Their dedication and openness have made this journey all the more rewarding.

5. Having worked across different aspects of theatre, what drew you to direct The Last Five Years, and what do you want the audience to take away from your version of the story?

Though I’ve acted in several musicals, this is my first time directing one, and that challenge is what initially drew me to the project. The Last Five Years isn’t a typical musical. It feels more like a play in which the dialogue happens to be sung, backed by an exceptional score. It’s what I would call an “actor’s musical,” requiring depth, honesty, and truthfulness, all elements I deeply value in storytelling. I hope the audience becomes immersed in Cathy and Jamie’s world, a story of two people who meet, fall in love, and ultimately part ways. It’s a situation many of us can relate to, whether through a marriage, relationship, or a love that didn’t quite work out. The musical beautifully captures how two people’s paths can intersect intensely, passionately, yet fleetingly, only to diverge in different directions.

The Last Five Years runs 12 Feb – 1 Mar 2025 at KC Arts Centre – Home of SRT. Get your tickets here.