The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Ambassadors Theatre

Benjamin Button's story is hidden from everyone, but this new musical should be shared with people all over. It has everything, you'll laugh, cry and want to go back in time to watch it all over again.

This is the best musical on the West End and a great addition to British theatre history. Everything about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is perfection, the music, the setting, the actors and the production elements. I found myself not only crying at the compelling storyline, but the quality of every element of this musical and the gratitude of the opportunity to see it. Following it's sell out performances at Southwark Playhouse, the award-winning new musical has anchored its ship at The Ambassadors Theatre.

Something strange happened in a small coastal town in North Cornwall. The Button couple gave birth to an old man and their world was turned upside down. The audience follow Benjamin Button; the old man who ages backwards, on his journey to finding his place in the world and accepting his unique lifestyle. One of the best moments is when he says a boy's aim in life is to prove his parents wrong and the audience build a concrete connection with this character as they witness his trials and tribulations of aging backwards. The character arc is crystal clear, and you can visually see Benjamin's character not only develop, but age backwards as the show goes on. This element is extraordinary, I have no idea how this same actor has gone from looking from 80 to 25... when we get to 19 that was as far as it goes.

John Dagleish, who has previously starred in 'Common' at The National Theatre and 'Cratchit' at The Park Theatre, plays 'Benjamin Button'. This actor deserves a huge amount of credit for his portrayal of Benjamin, he has given a huge attention to detail when showing the aging process through mannerisms and movement. A prominent moment is when he goes from struggling to walk without a walking stick to suddenly gaining the strength to stand on his own feet, he does this in a way that looks natural and realistic. He has wholly embodied this character and gave great thought into every detail. His love, Eloween Keene, played by Clare Foster, worked perfectly with Benjamin. Eloween and Benjamin's relationship was heart-warming, her character amplifies Benjamin's personality and it is such a stunning feature of the acting. The audience become invested in these two being together and staying together. You feel the joys and the aches.

Another joy the audience experience is the enjoyment of the whole cast, who clearly have committed to their roles and it is refreshing to see how they clearly love being a part of musical. Every cast member plays a wide range of roles to show all the different quirky characters in the coastal town. Jack Quarton plays Benjamin's best friend Little Jack, who brings an abundance of comedy to the piece, from his blunt, straight to the point and dense character. Their friendship shows how supportive and kind Benjamin is, making the audience fall in love with Benjamin.

You will fall in love with the music. The whole cast play a number of instruments from strings to wind instruments, an extremely talented cast. It is folk style music and it fills the Ambassadors Theatre like a tidal wave, giving the audience the musical hydration they crave. It is an authentic element of the show having the cast perform the story and the music, a rare and well executed aspect of the performance. The music perfectly sets the atmosphere of the coastal town and compliments the set of the show. A ship setting is created on the stage, with barnacles hanging from the front of the stage, decks and fishing nets hanging from the ceiling. When the company sing about the moon the fishing nets have fairy lights in them to mimic stars and a huge white moon hangs from the ceiling. This creates is a beautiful image of the night sky.

If you're curious about this musical and you want to live a little life; then set sail for The Ambassadors Theatre. This show is a clear depiction of what makes a perfect musical and how to make an audience feel a range of emotions. I found myself not only crying at the story line, but crying at how honored I felt to be witnessing a piece of theatre as phenomenal as this. Benjamin Button has sewn to my heart and for me personally has taken the top spot in my list of favourite musicals. What a ground breaking piece of theatre, you would be mad to miss it.

Get yout tickets: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button/ambassadors-theatre/calendar/2024-11-08