Review: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, Ambassadors Theatre
Photo credit: Marc Brenner
This week, we had the pleasure of being invited to see the West End transfer of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at the Ambassadors Theatre. This famous story has gone from book, to blockbuster film (starring Brad Pitt) and has now transcended into a musical. It tells the most unordinary story of a mother who gives birth to a 70 year old man who acts and speaks as 70 year old would, Benjamin Button, who defies all the laws of biology and ages in reverse. The story has been converted for the sake of the musical (we assume to make slightly more relatable to our audience) to a small Cornish village, and follows his journey through ‘childhood’, escaping the confines of his prison-like home, war, love, marriage, loss and eventually self-acceptance. Benjamin lives his full life but in reverse, so the big question is, did this story convert well into a musical?
We won’t beat around the proverbial bush Besties; this show exudes brilliance from every splinter of set, from every ray of stage light and from every word that the super talented acting troupe on stage utters. Are we laying it on a bit thick? Maybe… but that’s how much this innovative and effortless piece of story telling touches hearts.
As you walk into the theatre, you are greeted by an epic wooden set that represents this small fishing village; the set, most impressively from the brain of Jethro Compton who also penned the book and lyrics for the show as well as directing the piece, what a talent! Compton’s direction is flawless, with a refreshing amount of focus on the core storytelling of the piece and this really shows. The whole cast ebb and flow together to weave the tale for the audience, all an integral part of the piece and all accomplished musicians, with the Cornish folk style an absolute joy for the ears.
It’s rare for a show, especially a musical, to get everything quite as right as Benjamin Button has managed to achieve; the singing, the playing, the lighting, the set, they all work in perfect harmony to tell this intimate tale that left us teary eyed (multiple times), and thinking about the time we have and how we want to spend it, because where you start and where you end really isn’t that dissimilar.
Some shows might have taken the easy option to have cast multiple actors to play Benjamin at the different stages at his life, but we LOVED the decision to keep it as one as performer to star as the role in all ages from 0-70, and to find someone that could do this with conviction and truly pull this off, casting director Ginny Schiller CDG indeed needed to find a star to tackle the challenge….. mission accomplished, enter John Dagleish.
Dagleish gives a career defining performance in the role of Benjamin Button, honestly and convincingly portraying the role at all ages, altering posture, vocals and idiosyncrasies effortlessly without straying into stereotypical representations. As well as his stunning acting, Dagleigh’s vocal lilt is enough to bring the driest eyes to tears.
But it’s not just Dagleish who makes this show; every single performer on stage gives a wonderfully emotional and riveting performance. Matthew Burns, Jonathan Charles, Oonagh Cox, Katy Ellis, Anna Fordham, Claire Foster, Phillipa Hogg, Damien James, Elliot Mackenzie, Ann Marcuson, Jack Quarton and Benedict Slater - you are all supreme talents and we take our stagey hats off to you!
Darren Clark’s music is ethereal and heartfelt, capturing the magic and mystery of the show with every note. We also loved the genius of Zoe Spurr’s lighting design, elevating moments throughout the show, like when we are under water.
Occasionally, a truly special piece of theatre graces the boards of the West End and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is one of these shows, and it’s only running until February so there’s not long to see it, Besties!
We laughed, we cried and walking out of the theatre, we felt slightly changed, which is what the best theatre does to you. Needless to say, Benjamin Button is a musical masterpiece.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: James Edge
