Following a limited run in 2019, where it received critical and audience acclaim, it has been announced that F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: A New Musical will return in a new production at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 22 May-1 July.

In the roles of Benjamin Button and Elowen Keene are Olivier Award winner Jamie Parker (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, West End) and Molly Osborne (Fiddler on the Roof, Menier Chocolate Factory & West End). They lead the 12-strong actor-musician ensemble featuring Matthew Burns, Jonathan Charles, Oonagh Cox, Anna Fordham, Philippa Hogg, Damien James, Ann Marcuson, Jack Quarton, Benedict Salter, and Tonny Shim.

Discover a sleepy fishing harbour on the north coast of Cornwall, home to a most curious story.

Born in rather unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button is an old man, not at the end of his life, but at the beginning. Locked away from the world and branded a monster, Benjamin dreams of the chance to live a little life. More than anything, he dreams of love. With no hope of finding it, Benjamin resigns himself to a life of solitude, until, one day, a miracle occurs - the local barmaid, Elowen Keene. But as the years come and go, time and tide threaten to tear the two apart.  

Experience this extraordinary, inspiring, and timeless tale of a love that defies all odds. Set to a thunderous, foot-stomping folk score, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button reminds us, no matter how much time we have, to make every second count.

Writer, director and designer Jethro Compton said: “I’m thrilled to be bringing this story back to London. Southwark Playhouse has been a home to me for almost fifteen years, and to have the chance to return with this new production of Button, in their new venue, feels like the perfect homecoming. It’s a show about time, and home, and love – things that I’m sure have new meaning for most of us after these years of uncertainty.

“I have so much love for the 2019 production. It was a scrappy little show, produced on a shoestring, with an enormous amount of heart.  The last four years have given us time to let the story and the music grow and develop. But for those who loved what we made in 2019, don’t worry – the heart of that scrappy little show is very much alive.” 

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is based on the short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald, with a book & lyrics by Jethro Compton and music & lyrics by Darren Clark. It is directed by Jethro Compton who also designs the stage, with choreography and movement by Chi-San Howard, co-music supervision by Mark Aspinall and Darren Clark, costumes and associate stage design by Anna Kelsey, sound by Luke Swaffield, and musical direction by Mark Aspinall.

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