F Scott Fitzgerald’s fantastic fable about a man who is born aged and must live his life growing ever younger is the basis for this rather magical home-grown British musical. Writer and director Jethro Compton has relocated the story from 19th century Baltimore to the mid-20th century and placed it firmly in his beloved Cornwall. There are other changes to the storyline too, making it more a tale for our times about home and belonging and, most especially, about believing in love.
We know we are in a fishing village before the show begins. Taking our seats in the intimate Ambassadors Theatre, we can see the impressive set (also designed by Compton) of stripped timbers and boat ropes, and can hear the soundtrack of lapping waves and gusting winds. Indeed, the show is overflowing with emotional touch-points that give you a nostalgic feeling of belonging no matter where you’re from. The tiny theatre bar has been renamed The Pickled Crab and little Cornish touches abound; there’s even a Pickled Crab food stand outside doing a good trade in Cornish pasties.
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The storyline here is simple and convincing, once you give in to the essential willing suspension of disbelief. Poor Benjamin Button is born as a 70-year-old, fully suited and doffing a bowler hat. He is also surprisingly eloquent for an infant. The opening scenes introduce us to the inhabitants of this small village through song and dance with an excellent ensemble of actor-singer-musicians. They really make the most of the folk-opera musical style, stomping and clapping, swaying and singing, as they play their instruments, making the most of the vibrant choreography by Chi-San Howard and music and lyrics by Darren Clark. There are lovely harmonies and they even play the spoons as they sing.
John Dagleish is charming in the titular role, somehow managing to combine innocence and old age. Becoming younger as the show progresses is another challenge that he handles with flair. Button meets Elowen, a strong and sassy young woman who works at the local pub and soon becomes the love of his life. ‘Just beer’ she calls him for years, as that’s all he says. Clare Foster is absolutely radiant here with illuminating stage presence and a voice that sings to the stars. There is a real tenderness too in their relationship as they face life’s challenges together and individually. But even in their darkest moments, this is still a Jolly Roger ethos here where F Scott Fitzgerald meets the Pirates of Penzance. The tone does become more serious in the second half, but even so a little more pathos and greater emotional depth amidst the sea shanties would help us feel its tragic heart.
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was launched in 2019 and is now very polished. It is indeed ‘an unordinary musical’, as it says on the program. And while suffused with a gentle sadness, it is ultimately joyful and uplifting. Enjoy!
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Ambassadors Theatre
Book and Lyrics, Director and Stage Designer: Jethro Compton
Music and Lyrics, co-Music Supervisor, Orchestrator and Arranger: Darren Clark
Musical Director and co-Music Supervisor, Orchestrator and Arranger: Mark Aspinall
Choreographer: Chi-San Howard
Costume Designer and Associate Stage Designer: Anna Kelsey
Lighting Designer: Zoe Spurr
Sound Designer: Luke Swaffield
Cast: John Dagleish, Clare Foster, Matthew Burns, Jonathan Charles, Oonagh Cox, Katy Ellis, Anna Fordham, Philippa Hogg, Damien James, Elliot Mackenzie, Ann Marcuson, Jack Quarton, Benedict Salter, Emily Panes
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is at the Ambassadors Theatre in the West End to 26 April 2025.
