Tonight’s show is The curious case of Benjamin Button new musical. Which opened this run at the Ambassadors theatre on 10th October 2024 and has now extended its run to now close in May 2025. The show was originated at the the Southwark playhouse. The show has a running length of around two and half hours. The production has music and lyrics by Darren Clark and directed by Jethro Compton.
This was my first musical in the west end and in general for a quite a few months. With the last musical being Sunset on Broadway back in October on Broadway. I was so please to be back in an auditorium waiting for a musical to start. For this show I choose the front row (Row A) of the circle in seat 13. I choose this seat as I was aware how small the theatre is in general with a little rack in the stalls and a very high stage. You have to be so far back in the stalls you loose the full scale of the set. As a result the front row of the circle meant for an amazing unobstructed view.
Like most people I was aware of the concept of the story of Benjamin Button however had not seen a show or film based on it including the 2008 Brad Bit film of the same name. However I was pleased to read that this perticular version was a re-imagination of the original F.Scott Fitzgerald story. As it was going to be taking place in a small fishing village in Cornwall. The reason for this is described in the programme by the director Jethro Compton as they state “home in the sense of where we feel we belong” and for as that is the heart of the story for them and North Cornwall is that place.
For some clarification here is a brief overview of this particular musicals story. Benjamin Button (John Dagleish) is born an old man much to the guilt and embarrassment of his Mother and Father. As time moves on it becomes just Benjamin and his dad (Benedict Salter) and as Benjamin grows younger he ventures out the house to the local pub “The pickled crap” in which he falls in love with the bar maid (Clare foster). The rest of musical charts their flourishing relationship through the back drop of WW2. Then through the birth of their children along with the turmoil that comes with this extrodenary life. Highlighting the joys and issues that come with getting younger as time goes on. Charting the full life of Benjamin Button from start to finish.
The Ambassadors theatre seems a perfect theatre for this production. As due to its small and intermediate nature it really added to the wholesomeness of the whole show. The theatre has also created its own “Picked Crap” bar outside the theatre which served Cornish themed food and drink. The set design for this production as you can see in the “view from my seat” picture was amazing. A fully authentic fishing boat/harbour design. With no set piece being changed through t the whole show. What you see at the start is the whole stage for the rest of the prodcution. The use of lighting and the odd prop changes and description from the script narration is all used brilliant to depict the changes in scene.
These scene changes seemed even slicker due to the almost magical appearance of props from hidden cubby holes in the stage floor. Which were opened to retrieved or stow the necessary props and even relevant a sandpit at one point. Along with the few actor props there was six boxes which were utilise to represent many different things throughout the play and really set the scene. All smoothly transitioned due by the whole cast who didn’t really leave the stage.
Now to talk about the cast and general production of this show. Which is very unique and not really like any other musical I have seen. The main reason for this was because the whole cast was the on stage band, ensemble and remaining characters. Which there were lots and all varied from each other. Not only were the whole cast on stage the whole production they were playing every instrument and while singing in every song. Which as this was a musical was every single scene. I was unable to list them all in the synopsis section of this review as they simply played to many characters. However they deserve a mention here so the 12 strong band/cast were Matthew Burns, Jonathan Charles, Oonagh Cox, Katy Ellis, Anna Fordham, Clare Foster, Philippa Hogg, Damien James, Elliot Mackenzie, Ann Marcuson, Emily Panes and Jack Quarton. Each and everyone of them are legitimate quadruple threat. As each was a brilliant actor, singer, musician and even dancer with some simple choreography. Along with John Dagleish and Benedict Salter as the main characters they produced an amazing folk inspired style musical.
The whole folk style of songs meant that the story was able to be explained and progressed through the lyrics. Which created most o the time lots of high energy numbers and creating a really feel good atmosphere amongst the audience. While still able to provide some real hard hitting scenes. The folk style in general fitted perfectly with the Cornish fishing village vibe while still being able to hit a huge musical theatre punch. The harmonies created by the whole cast were amazing throughout lots of the songs and add at time a sea shanty style while at other times creating an almost haunting feeling.
As well as the songs lyrics the main milestones of the story where provided in a narration style by each member of the cast. While providing the updates along with the exact time and or duration. Which kept reminding the audience of the concept of time and how precious it is no matter if you are running out of it by getting older or in Benjamin’s case running out of it by getting younger. Especially towards the end of the show the use of this narration was able to really drill home the sadness of Benjamin getting younger while everyone around him grows older. Providing a very emotional last ten minutes of the show.
One slight issue I did notice throughout the show was at times the sound levels were slightly off. Making it at times a little harder to hear exact members of the cast narration pieces. However this is to be expected hen you have around 14 cast members all mixed up moving and dancing around the stage while playing instruments live. It did not distract from the performance at all and if anything gave a more authentic feel like you were just in a pub in north Cornwall where the folk band has just sparked up.
This authentic love letter (As the director points out) to Cornwall was no more obvious than with the accents. Each character (Not actor) had they own voice while all still sounding 100% Cornish. This was without it being over the top and exaggerated and did not feel like an impersonation at all. The accents were also held throughout all the songs. This gave a truly authentic feel and meant that the transition between speaking and singing was seamless and exactly what you want in a good musical theatre production.
Another aspect of this musical which strayed from the musical theatre norm was that there did not seem to be a stand out title stand out song. With many of the second act consisting of reprises. Which is not normal in most Morden musical theatre. However as mentioned before the story was still able to be progressed easily and quickly. There is yet to be a full cast recording (I only hope this will change in the future). However there is an EP esc album on all the streaming platform which consists of three of the songs room the show. These three songs are also shown as a live recording on the Benjamin Button musical YouTube channel. My favourite of the three is linked below however I highlight recommend you check out all three.
Kudos really does have to be given to the director Jethro Compton for coming up with such a unique concept and amazing production. Being able to to great something so unique with the whole band being the cast on a static stage while still portraying a musical theatre production. Was pure genius as it is a musical theatre show but so unique and like none I have ever seen before.
A quick note on the costumes which were perfect for the early 1900s fisherman vibe that the set and story portrayed. Although almost no major costume changes, the subtle changes were very effective. For example the some of the earths that occurred during the show were marked by removing small parts of the costume like a skirt. It was also the costume along with some prop work which was able to dictate the younger versions of Benjamin. Again suitable changes like changing from a three piece suit to just a jacket to no jacket etc…
It was not only the costume changes which were able to dictate Benjamin becoming younger throughout the play. But the brilliant talent from John Dagleish. Who was effortlessly able to portray the de-aging process with small but effective physical changes. Which meant that you were able to witness a 80 something man become a 20 something man without really noticing it.
The whole production reminded me of “Come from away” with a hint of “Choir of man” two great musicals. And if you like either of them you will love this. Although reminding me of these shows at certain times this production and show is like no other and really does have to be seen to fully appreciate it.
If not already obvious I really enjoyed this new musical and can’t wait for more from it hopefully in the form of a full cast recording and maybe even a live recording. More details about the show can be found on their website.
As a result I give “The curious case of Benjamin Button an unordinary musical” 4 out of 5 stars.
It is an unordinary musical to say the least. A brilliant new musical lead by John Dagleish but the whole cast who are also the band are the stand outs in his unique new musical. A must see.
A SPURDLE reviews 