The Curious Case of Benjamin Button AT AMBASSADORS THEATRE, LONDON

The Tide Is Comin’ In… and It’s Bringing Theatrical Magic!

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was not a story I was particularly familiar with, I vaguely recall seeing the Brad Pitt film years ago, but all I really knew was the central premise, a man born old who ages backwards. What caught my attention was the buzz around this stage adaptation, which recently won three Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, Outstanding Musical Contribution and Best Actor in a Musical for John Dagleish’s portrayal of Benjamin. With so much acclaim surrounding the production, I knew I had to see it before it closed and I’m incredibly grateful that I did. What unfolded on stage was one of the most captivating and emotional musical productions I’ve experienced in a long time. It’s rare to find a show that feels so finely crafted and so deeply moving and I genuinely struggled to find a single fault. From start to finish, it was an unforgettable theatrical journey, one that left me completely absorbed and profoundly moved.

The original short story, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1922, was set in Baltimore. In this stage adaptation however, writer and director Jethro Compton has reimagined the tale in a small fishing village in Cornwall. This shift in setting adds a layer of charm and warmth to the narrative, with the distinctive Cornish accents and quirky local characters bringing an endearing authenticity to the story.

From the moment you enter the auditorium, the setting of the show is already alive. The sounds of seagulls and fishing boats set the coastal atmosphere, while the stage itself is built from thick wooden planks, forming a weathered dock. At the rear, a staircase leads to a raised platform where the drum kit is positioned and overhead, fishing nets hang like a makeshift sky. These nets also glow softly with embedded fairy lights during nighttime scenes. A recurring theme throughout the show is Benjamin’s fascination with the moon and his dream of one day seeing a man walk on its surface. This theme is subtly woven into the staging during emotional moments, such as Benjamin falling in love, a softly glowing moon appears in the corner of the stage, symbolizing Benjamin’s poignant moments. The lighting design remains largely consistent, bathing the set in a warm, golden glow with occasional spotlights to highlight individual characters. In more intimate scenes, the lighting occasionally turns cooler, washed in shades of blue and white, perhaps referring to the sea and foreshadowing the emotional events to come later in the show.

The company is dressed uniformly in fisherman-style attire, earthy tones of green, blue and brown, complete with braces, beanie hats, boots and subtle smudges of dirt on their faces, supporting the show's gritty, coastal aesthetic. The only costume variations belong to the two central characters, Elowen and Benjamin. Elowen wears a red dress throughout, reminiscent of Nancy from Oliver!, while Benjamin begins the show in a smart green jacket, shirt, tie and trousers, topped off with a bowler hat and glasses. As the narrative moves through time and Benjamin appears progressively younger, his costume is subtly adapted to reflect the change. When he reaches his 50s, the bowler hat and jacket are replaced by a waistcoat and by the time he’s in his 20s, the waistcoat gives way to a more fashionable corduroy jacket, effectively signalling his age without a complete costume change.

Credit - Marc Brenner

 It's productions like this that make a strong case for introducing a new Olivier Award category for Best Company. Every performer on stage is exceptionally talented, rarely stepping offstage and seamlessly taking on a range of cameo roles without ever changing costume only shifting their voices and physicality. The show is delivered in actor-muso style, meaning each performer doubles as a live instrumentalist. What stood out was the versatility and coordination among the cast, whilst each actor primarily played a specific instrument, they would effortlessly switch when the scene required them to step into a different character. Another performer would seamlessly pick up the instrument in their place. I counted at least one actor playing four or five different instruments over the course of the production, an impressive feat that speaks to the company’s skill and talent.

While the two leads rightfully take centre stage, a few standout performances from the company deserve special mention. Anna Fordham was captivating throughout, taking on a variety of roles with incredible range. One moment they’re playing a volatile, comically furious wife constantly berating her husband and the next they’re transforming into Benjamin’s sweet, wide-eyed son. The contrast was handled with ease and their ability to shift between comedy and emotional sincerity was truly impressive. All the while, they were playing the double bass, no small feat considering the instrument’s size and the physicality of the performance. Their stage presence was magnetic, I found my attention drawn to them time and again.

Equally engaging was Jack Quarton, whose instrument for the evening was the accordion, an underused gem that suited the folky, coastal tone of the show perfectly. Jack played opposite Anna in the recurring comedic gag about a husband desperately seeking a divorce and the timing between them was spot-on. He also portrayed Little Jack, Benjamin’s friend, who we first meet at the age of eleven. Jack’s portrayal was irresistibly charming, especially with Little Jack’s hilariously muddled sayings like “Plenty more girls in the sea” or “You can do that with your mouth closed.” These quirky lines made us instantly warm to him, which made it all the more upsetting later in the story when, due to Benjamin’s reversed aging, Little Jack no longer recognises him. Jack conveyed this shift with quiet, devastating sadness, making the moment of rejection one of the most heartbreaking in the entire production.

Clare Foster delivers a heartfelt and captivating performance as Elowen, bringing a playful energy and emotional depth to the role that is truly beautiful to watch. It’s easy to see why she was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical, her presence on stage is utterly magnetic. From the moment we meet Elowen as a spirited young barmaid, full of whimsy and flirtatious charm, the audience is drawn to her. Unlike Benjamin, Elowen ages normally and Clare captures this with subtle, effective choices such as slower movements or a hand resting on her hip, making her character’s physical transformation feel authentic. One particularly moving moment comes when Benjamin returns after years away. Despite Elowen’s visible heartbreak, she forgives him almost instantly. Clare’s ability to convey such raw vulnerability, complete with tears on cue is remarkable. Her folk-infused singing voice is equally enchanting and delicate, perfectly suited to the show’s musical landscape. Clare’s performance is full of warmth and charm and I sincerely hope to see her in another production in the future.

Credit - Marc Brenner

In this performance, the role of Benjamin Button was portrayed by Benedict Salter, who impressed from the very first moment he stepped on stage. When we first meet Benjamin at the oldest point in his life, Benedict captures the physicality and voice of an elderly man with remarkable skill. His slow, deliberate movements, contorted facial expressions and quavering tone brought the character vividly to life. What makes the character of Benjamin Button so intriguing is the juxtaposition of his physical age with his emotional naivety. Though he appears old, he is still a child at heart, unfamiliar with the world and its ways. Benedict navigated this contrast with great sensitivity, conveying Benjamin’s innocence in a convincingly aged body. As the story unfolds and Benjamin grows younger, he becomes wiser and more experienced and Benedict handled this reverse transformation with great control. Benedict’s stage presence was magnetic, he brought a warm charm to the character that made him instantly likeable and deeply engaging. His vocal performance was equally impressive, his singing voice soared during the more upbeat numbers, yet he was able to soften it during more tender moments. The role of Benjamin Button is undoubtedly a demanding one, the character is on stage for the entire production, undergoing a complete life journey in reverse before the audience's eyes. Benedict Salter rose to this challenge masterfully, delivering a captivating and heartfelt performance that was a true pleasure to watch.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button wraps up its London run on 11th October and if you’re considering seeing it before then, I wholeheartedly recommend you do. It’s a moving, romantic and beautifully told story that lingers long after the final curtain. If you are not sure about the musical style, imagine a blend of Fisherman’s Friends and Come From Away, rich in heart, harmony and storytelling. This production truly deserves a longer life and I hope to see it tour in the near future. An instant standing ovation was very well deserved, it really is something special.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

SEAT REVIEW

Venue: Ambassadors Theatre, London

Seat location: Stalls, Row B, Seat 10.

I usually prefer not to sit too close to the stage, especially in older London theatres, as the stage can often be quite high, requiring you to look up constantly, which can be uncomfortable for your neck. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that, although the stage was elevated, it wasn’t too bad. The view was clear and I didn’t miss any of the action. That said, if I were to book seats at this theatre again, I’d aim for somewhere around Row F or G for a slightly more comfortable viewing angle.