Albatross Musical Theatre Company to launch new performance in 2021

The next musical, The Last Five Years features only two cast members and a small live chamber orchestra, and will be presented at the Nowra School of Arts with four shows (including a matinee) from January 21 to 23, 2021.

Laura Turner, president of AMTC said the theatre company has had to get creative with their live theatre performances.

"As restrictions evolve in these uncertain times, AMTC have thought outside the square as to how we can present live theatre to the community," she said.

"At this point in time, with restrictions limiting numbers at performances, we plan to use cabaret table seating to make each occasion special, with food, wine and the much-awaited return of live musical theatre in the Shoalhaven."

The stars include the amazing vocal talents of local performers Jane McIntosh playing Cathy and Nathan Lomas as Jamie.

Their last appearances in Nowra were as Fantine and Jean Valjean in AMTC's Les Miserables.

The Last Five Years is a modern musical, ingeniously moving both forward and backward in time.

We watch Cathy and Jamie fall in and out of love right before our eyes.

The story is told alternately from each perspective, Jamie tells his version chronologically, whereas Cathy begins with the hurt of their breakup, working backward to the elation of their beginnings.

Laura said it's a musical unlike any other you've seen in Nowra.

"The cleverness of the writing will have you switching allegiances each and every song: Cathy or Jamie, whose side will you take in the end?" she said.

This production will also double as a special fundraising event to help AMTC recover some of the loss of income from the cancellation of all three shows planned for 2020 because of the pandemic.

The fundraising will help to cover the regular ongoing expenses of the company including the lease of their shed which is used as a rehearsal space and where all the sets and props are built and stored.

The show season will feature a silent auction and raffles and AMTC are asking for donations of goods or services that could be auctioned off or raffled during the show run.

For further information or offers of donations please contact Julie Fraser via the AMTC Facebook page or email secretary@amtc.org.au

Tickets are on sale now via the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre or phone the box office on 4429 5757. Tickets are also on sale at the Berry Music Centre in Queen Street, Berry.

AMTC is a not-for-profit organisation that has been bringing musical theatre to the Shoalhaven for more than 45 years.