The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, “THE BEST BRITISH MUSICAL IN DECADES” (WhatsOnStage), has blazed into the West End. This epic, intimate, and unforgettable hit is “A MUSICAL TO TREASURE” (The Standard). Based on the iconic short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald and reimagined in a Cornish fishing village by award-winning writing team Jethro Compton and Darren Clark, this unique, actor-musician led story is “EPIC AND CINEMATIC WITH A TREMENDOUS SCORE” (Daily Mail).
It is based on F Scott Fitzgerald’s 1922 short story, and shares a premise: Benjamin Button is a man inexplicably born at the age of 70, who then begins to age backwards, leading to a strange, exhilarating, sometimes extremely sad sort of life. Compton’s interpretation is different to the 2008 David Fincher film starring Brad Pitt, for a start it’s not set in nineteenth century America, but is rather a virtual love letter to Compton’s native Cornwall, its story spanning much of the twentieth century.
The narrative is pretty standard as Benjamin falls in love with barmaid Elowen. As the years go by, the two are drawn to each other both searching for happiness and a sense of belonging but elaborate twists of circumstance keep them apart for years. Eventually they meet again, but as she gets older, he gets younger.
John Dagleish is absolutely brilliant in his characterisation of Benjamin Button creating such a sympathetic personality that the whole audience warms to him. He also has a magnificent singing voice! Clare Foster who plays Elowen is also vocally a match for Dagleish and their chemistry together on stage is stunning. The whole cast is an impressive and tireless collective of actor-musicians. Cleverly comprised, with each actor juggling multiple characters and sometimes multiple instruments, that shine together, to great effect. The music style is like a mixture of folk and country with some wonderful lyrics from Compton and Clark ranging from foot-stomping jigs to wistful laments.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is is a beautifully crafted musical for the whole family with one man making the best of the reverse life he has been given, a timeless tale of a love that defies all odds. It skilfully explores the question of what it means to be home or to belong and argues that ironically both are to found in the people we love. An idea which will never grow old and one that reminds us all to make every second count.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,- is currently playing at the Ambassadors Theatre, London until May 2025.
Details
- Address:
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- WC2H 9ND
- Contact:
- https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button/ambassadors-theatre/
- 03330 096690
- Transport:
- Tube: Leicester Square(Northern and Piccadilly lines) and Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) stations