| the last five years |
cast & crew
Cathy - Claire Pulpher
Jamie - Simon Radford
​
Musical Director - John Atkin
Piano - John Atkin
Violin - Marcus Bousfield
Cellos - Rachel Brown & Lucy McLuckie
Guitar - Paul McArthur
Bass - Christian Topman
Lighting - Ruth Symington
musical numbers
Still Hurting - Cathy
Shiksa Goddess - Jamie
See I'm Smiling - Cathy
Moving Too Fast - Jamie
A Part of That - Cathy
The Schmuel Song - Jamie
A Summer in Ohio - Cathy
The Next Ten Minutes - Cathy & Jamie
A Miracle Would Happen/When You Come Home to Me - Jamie/Cathy
Climbing Uphill/Audition Sequence - Cathy
If I Didn't Believe in You - Jamie
I Can Do Better Than That - Cathy
Nobody Needs to Know - Jamie
Goodbye Until Tomorrow/I Could Never Rescue You - Cathy/Jamie
claire pulpher
After spending over 15 years in the performing arts industry, Claire has found herself everywhere: on stage, off stage, in front of - and behind - the camera, directing, choreographing, producing, and writing.
​
Claire ran her own successful dance and performance business from the age of 15, where she taught dance at all levels from beginners to advanced, aged 3-85, and private lessons to competitors.
​
In 2009, Claire won the World Championships in Choreography and the UK Championships in Division 4 line, performing Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, and West Coast Swing.
​
Claire trained in Musical Theatre at The Oxford School of Drama, and has since performed in critically acclaimed shows, including The Addams Family, Dogfight, Ghost, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Claire's professional credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Director), Chess the Musical (Choreographer) and upcoming feature film Trapped Magic: The Broken Blade, where she will play the antagonist, Sallianne.
simon radford
Simon's passion for theatre began at the age of 10 when he appeared as Oliver Twist in Oliver! with the Boston Operatic Society.
​
His most recent performances in musicals have included: Tobias Ragg in Sweeney Todd, John Wilkes Booth in Assassins, Buddy Holly in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, The Wolf/Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods, Leo Bloom in The Producers, and creating the character of Tony in the new musical A British Summertime.
​
Other theatrical roles of late include: George Hastings in She Stoops to Conquer, Frank Strong in Equus, Marchand in Incident at Vichy, Laertes in Hamlet, Gonzalo in The Public and no less than ten characters in a six-person production of Marlowe's Doctor Faustus.
​
Having first encountered the masterpiece that is The Last Five Years well over a decade ago, Simon is truly delighted to finally be able to portray the role of Jamie as part of White Rose Theatre's debut production, and would like to express his immense gratitude for the opportunity.
john atkin
With over 45 years' performing experience, Pianist & Musical Director John Atkin has Directed more than 140 theatre productions and orchestral concerts ranging from Sondheim to Sibelius.
John’s association with music making in York goes back to the 1950s when his mother was a regular performing member with “The Amateurs”.
Born and bred in York, he studied Music in Leeds, Harrogate and Bath. After graduating, John was based in the south west for nine years and worked for Bath Theatre Royal, Bristol Hippodrome, BBC, The National Trust, Bath Spa University and as a soloist with The Amadeus Orchestra in 1992.
Since returning to York, John has worked with many local companies across the north and is currently the Musical Director for York Musical Theatre Company, White Rose Theatre and Ripon Amateur Operatic Society. He has previously been Conductor of the York Light Orchestra, York Opera, Bristol Light Opera, Keynsham Orchestra and Ebor Brass.
As a Pianist John has worked regularly with Echo42 Big Band, The John Miller Big Band, The Michael Da Costa Singing Academy and York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir. He has also worked as an accompanist in concerts and workshops for ENO and Opera North Soprano Sarah Redgwick, ALW’s Musical Supervisor John Rigby and Broadway Performers Natalie Weiss and Danielle Steers.
As well as his performance work, John works for a leading examinations board, is a Trustee for The Joseph Rowntree Theatre, and most recently worked as Assistant MD and Consultant in Musical Theatre for SLP College, Leeds.
Plans for the next 12 months include, Calendar Girls, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jekyll & Hyde, Blood Brothers, Rent and Bonnie & Clyde.
with thanks
This show would not have been possible without the incredible support from the following:
​
Ripon Arts Hub
Our Lady's Church, York
YorkMix Radio
Parker & Pixel Films