The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is one of London’s newest musicals, currently playing at The Ambassadors Theatre in Covent Garden after first debuting at Southwark’s Playhouse in 2019.
Based on the short story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1921, this musical tells the story of Benjamin Button, born an old man and fated to grow young while those around him grow old.
This musical tells the story of Benjamin Button, born an old man and fated to grow young while those around him grow old. (Image: Marc Brenner)
Directed by Jethro Compton, the story is set within a quiet harbour village in Cornwall, taking place throughout the early to late parts of the 20th century from when Benjamin is born in 1918.
The cast of 13 certainly has a lot of strings to their bows as they sing, play a medley of musical instruments, and perform the roles of the villagers and loved ones of Benjamin throughout his life.
The cast of 13 certainly has a lot of strings to their bows. (Image: Marc Brenner)
The music is a beautiful mix of folk-inspired music and sea shanties, which is even better sung with the strong Cornish tones of the cast, with a mix of both humourous and heartfelt lyrics throughout.
Some personal highlights were A Little Life and A Matter of Time, which both had an upbeat and lively feel.
The music is a beautiful mix of folk-inspired music and sea shanties. (Image: Marc Brenner)
Knowing the plot of this story, I was prepared to have a tear in my eye at the performance’s conclusion, and whilst this musical was certainly moving there were a lot of light-hearted moments throughout, with rather comical characters like the drunken fisherman waiting for his love for 7 decades.
Whilst this musical was certainly moving there were a lot of light-hearted moments throughout. (Image: Marc Brenner)
The set evokes the idea of a wooden harbour with timber stairs and walkways and fishing nets, along with moveable crates, which the actors use to transport audiences from Benjamin’s lonely attic bedroom to the lively Pickled Crab pub.
John Dagleish gives a moving performance as Benjamin Button which really pulls on the heartstrings, while Clare Foster who plays his love interest Elowen Keene demonstrates incredible vocals with a humourous and emotional portrayal of the character.
John Dagleish gives a moving performance as Benjamin Button while Clare Foster plays his love interest Elowen Keene. (Image: Marc Brenner)
This is truly a remarkable piece of musical theatre that explores the passage of time and what growing old with those around you truly means.
As we see the protagonist growing apart from those he loved through his decreasing age, we are reminded that growing old, even though it’s something we don’t always favour, is what connects us all as human beings.
We are reminded that growing old, even though it’s something we don’t always favour, is what connects us all as human beings. (Image: Marc Brenner)
I hadn’t expected to find myself glad to grow old instead of young, but nevertheless I did, and this is one of the reasons why this show makes for such a unique theatre experience.