The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Ambassador's Theatre Review

Reviewed by Mark Johnson at The Ambassador's Theatre
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's quintessentially American story of Benjamin Button is beautifully re-invented and re-located to Cornwall in the 20th century. Infused with a folk score, a cast of actor-musicians bring the tale of time and tide to life with extraordinary impact.

Photo by Marc Brenner

The musical adaption by Jethro Compton and Darren Clark has played two runs at Southwark Playhouse and now enjoys a richly deserved West End transfer at the intimate Ambassador’s Theatre. It tells the story of Benjamin Button who is born old and ages in reverse. His journey of aging backward, the relationship he forms and his self-identity are at the forefront of the story resulting in a touching journey of love and loss. The theme of the sea, the tide, and of time is deeply thought-provoking.

The instant impact is set as you enter the auditorium and you are greeted by the impressive set, a harbour-like scene with a soundscape that enhances this. Compton's set design becomes a playground for story and song with the effective use of Zoe Spurr's lighting that shines like the moon's own glow and beautifully enables the emotion of the tale to unfold. The lighting paired with the use of stage haze creates a great atmosphere.

The energy is strong with the ensemble opening the show in Cornish with 'Rag Ty Yw Tre' before the foot-stomping begins with 'The Western Wind'. We are greeted by a variety of colourful characters in the harbour town and told of the chain of events that are occurring at precise moments in time. 

Here we are told of the circumstances of Benjamin's birth as Roger and Mary Button excitedly await the arrival of their child only to be greeted by an old man. Philippa Hogg, who excels throughout, brings such heart to Mary, who is so deeply impacted by Benjamin's unusual arrival that she jumps off a cliff to her death. 'The Kraken's Lullaby' is a gut punch that carries the emotional tone of what is to come particularly in the second act. Benedict Salter superbly steers the journey of Roger Button and the relationship he has with Benjamin throughout the performance through both rejection, acceptance and in the end contentment.

Photo by Marc Brenner

John Dagleish takes on the role of Benjamin Button and he does so with such skill and believability. You're greeted by him as an aged and withered old man and slowly he releases those shackles of age as he grows younger. His first number 'A Little Life' shows a man who by no choice of his own is forced to live like this and how he longs for life outside the four walls of the house and to live a little.

Once Benjamin does go out he enters the local pub, The Pickled Crab, where he meets the only girl he'll ever love, Elowen Keene played by Clare Foster. Their romance and life together are the emotional core of the piece. The spark and connection Dagleish and Foster instantly create is beautiful, you can feel their attraction, and the fuse is lit. In a first act with many gorgeous songs 'The Moon and the Sea' is a gorgeous duet between the pair.

Their romance is met with disdain by those who know the truth about Benjamin and as such the pair plan to run away only that they miss each other and end up separated by circumstance as war plagues Europe. Benjamin writes his own thoughts of longing for Elowen into a glass bottle that he throws into the ocean. 

Benjamin sets out for employment and here encounters Little Jack played tremendously by Jack Quarton. They strike a friendship up as they work out fishing in the ocean. This plays out to great importance in the second act. On the eve of shipping out to Normandy Benjamin and Elowen reunite and a dancing hall. The soaring 'Shipping Out Tomorrow' sends the audience out the interval truly wowed.

The second out is undoubtedly more moving and tear-jerking. It's so movingly staged with a clear eye for the heart of the tale in Compton's direction. Benjamin and Elowen share two children together, Lowen (Oonagh Cox) and Locryn (Anna Fordham). Once an accident with Lowen occurs, there's a devastating moment involving a teddy bear, and the truth is revealed about Benjamin's aging he is forced to leave and go on a journey across the world. Here he re-encounters Little Jack who doesn't recognise him, nor believes how it could possibly be him. At his lowest Benjamin jumps into the sea to drown himself, only to be saved by the bottle he earlier threw into the sea. 

He reads his own letter and decides he must go on one final great journey, a journey home. The last quarter of the show is deeply moving as he arrives back to find Elowen seriously ill and with time catching up on Benjamin. There's a stillness in the auditorium as you watch heartbreakingly moving scenes. Foster sings the powerful number 'Time' with such soul and emotion. The story wraps with Benjamin now a baby and ends on a beautifully thoughtful note before the company raises the spirits once more with a rousing curtain call reprise of 'Rollin' Away'.

Photo by Marc Brenner

Compton and Clark's score with orchestrations and arrangements by Mark Aspinall is a toe-tapping, heart-soaring dream. One moment you're stomping your foot, the next you are grabbing for tissues. It rises and falls like the waves of the sea. Thunderous ensemble songs like 'When E're She Looks At Me' are paired with softer songs such as 'The Moon and The Sea'. Its folky scape is brought to life with remarkable skill by the actor-muso cast who not only multi-role, they also multi-instrument. The sound that is created is thrilling. You are swept up by it all. The underscoring is gorgeous throughout too. It's hard to single out anybody. Everyone on the stage is a world-class musician, actor and singer. 

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is not only one of the best pieces of theatre that you'll see but it's also life-enhancing, deeply moving, and touches your very core. The theme of time and the journey that every person is going on is so relatable to everyone. Whatever you take away from the show you leave the theatre completely blown away by everything you've just seen. It's truly a story of a lifetime and one that feels so unique that it'll be one that you never forget. Musical theatre perfection and then some.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (which could easily be more!)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button plays at The Ambassador's Theatre where it currently books until Saturday 15th February 2025 (and hopefully long after). Tickets are available from https://benjaminbuttonmusical.com/

Photo by Marc Brenner