Samantha Barks has returned to the London stage to star in a new production of Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years, helmed by the composer himself. It began performances October 27 at the St. James Theatre, prior to an official opening November 2, for a run through November 26.

Barks, who was recently seen in Berkeley Rep's production of Amelie and is best known for playing Eponine in the film version of Les Miserables, is joined by Jonathan Bailey, best known for his TV appearances in Broadchurch and in the title role of Leonardo Da Vinci in the BBC's Leonardo.

They play Cathy and Jamie, respectively, two New Yorkers in their twenties who fall in and out of love over the course of five years. Aspiring actress Cathy and aspiring author Jamie, once united by their dreams, find their paths beginning to divide. In the show, their stories are told in opposite directions; Jamie moving forwards and Cathy backwards through their relationship, meeting only briefly for a moment in time as their stories cross.

Originally premiered Off-Broadway in 2002, The Last Five Years received its British premiere at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2006. A film adaptation was also released in 2014 starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan. This revival production was first seen in a record-breaking Off-Broadway run at New York's Second Stage Theatre in 2013 with a different cast.

It is being produced in London by Hilary and Stuart Williams in association with Paul Taylor-Mills. Musical direction will be by Torquil Munro, and casting is by Pippa Ailion.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 264 2140 or visit stjamestheatre.co.uk.