The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a musical that has been in development for a while but at each stage met with joy from those who have been lucky enough to see it. I was in that category in 2019 at Southwark Playhouse and adored it then so I was keen to seen if 5 years of development (and the many more prior to me seeing it originally) had proved fruitful.

This musical is based on the book by F Scott Fitzgerald but is miles (4447 to be precise) apart from the Hollywood adaption of the same name. The musical is set in the writers native Cornwall and with this shift in location it really feels as if this story has found its home and we meet Benjamin Button, who is born an old man and soon discovers is aging in reverse. When he meets the love of his life Elowen he is in his 50’s and she is in her 20’s. After unfortunate timing keeps them apart for years, they rekindle their relationship and start a life together however nothing can stop time nor find a cure for Benjamin’s illness.

The book by Jethro Compton (who also wrote the lyrics, directed and undertook the stage design), is beautifully crafted. Whilst the show is about Benjamin’s life the themes of time and home runs clearly and beautifully through the show. Compton’s writing takes you from moments of joy to devastation throughout the piece and Benjamin Button’s life is treated with such tenderness that the audience can’t help but do the same. The show doesn’t rely on any flashy tricks but the age old method of storytelling and does so beautifully. Each cast member takes part in Benjamin’s story and each word is not only carefully considered to drive home the themes but so is who delivers each line and the part they play in Benjamin’s life. The choreography by Chi-San Howard echo’s the feel of the story being told en masse and the action flows wonderfully around the central story, with beautiful meaningful detail within the movement, so brief that if you blink you may miss them but so frequent that it clear just how much attention to detail is in every aspect of this show.

The music (and co-lyricists) Darren Clark embraces the Cornwall setting and all of the songs have a Cornish feel to them, but not so much so as to alienate the traditional musical theatre lovers. This really helps establish a sense of place and fits in brilliantly with the show. Whilst Act 2 has numerous reprises in it they have always developed and not a word is wasted. The music itself is performed by the talented group of actor musicians on stage with some of them playing up to 8 instruments, ranging from the more traditional through to spoons! The ability across the board of the cast to not only incorporate their playing into the action but to move from one instrument to the next left me in awe.

The role of Benjamin Button was played by John Dagleish and his transformation throughout the show was nothing short of jaw dropping. From an old man who needed a stick to walk through to a spritely teenager I watched him physically transform in front of my eyes to the extent that I did not question that he was getting younger as the show progressed. Clare Foster as Elowen managed to convey a similar feat in reverse and she portrayed a rich, complex and interesting character throughout the show.

The rest of the cast not only played instruments but as the narrators of the piece or as Clark referred to them as ‘The Strangers,’ they played numerous roles throughout the show, one moment one of Benjamin’s Cornish neighbours, the next a Doctor or a family member. This show epitomizes the idea of an ensemble piece.

The set, costumes, lighting and sound enhance the mood of the show perfectly. The set is made up of timbre, fishing nets, crates and provides fluidity to allow the passage of time and distance to move swiftly when needed as well as evoking the feeling of costal Cornwall.

For a show about time I can confidently say that every moment sat in the darkened auditorium at the Ambassadors Theatre was a moment to savour.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is currently playing at The Ambassadors Theatre and is booking until February 2025. You can book tickets here.

If you like this review you might also like my review of Come From Away Tour, Cabaret and Stranger Things the First Shadow.