REVIEW - THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON THE MUSICAL | THE AMBASSADORS THEATRE | 25/06/2025

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at The Ambassadors Theatre – A Story for the Ages

After enchanting audiences at Southwark Playhouse, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button has now sailed into the West End – and what a richly deserved journey it has been. I attended the performance at The Ambassadors Theatre on Wednesday 25th June 2025, and despite two cast alterations (with Benedict Slater stepping in as Benjamin and Jonathan Charles as Roger Button), what I witnessed was nothing short of theatrical alchemy.

Inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1922 short story and given new life by the exceptional talents of Jethro Compton (book, lyrics, direction and design) and Darren Clark (music and lyrics), this actor-musician folk musical has been beautifully transposed to the rugged Cornish coastline – and it’s a decision that makes the story feel even more magical.

Born at the end of World War I as an old man, Benjamin Button’s life unfolds in reverse – growing younger as the world grows older. In this version, Benjamin’s curious condition is cloaked in Cornish myth and music, as he navigates isolation, love, family, loss and ultimately the inevitability of time.

After being hidden away by his grieving father Roger and spurned by the outside world, Benjamin’s life truly begins when he ventures into a local pub and meets Elowen – the one person who truly sees him. Their love story is achingly beautiful, filled with moments of joy and devastation as they move in opposite directions through time.

What could easily feel surreal or farcical is instead deeply human – a poignant reminder that every life, no matter how peculiar, is worth celebrating.

Jethro Compton’s design is a world of weathered wood, thick ropes and ghostly fishing nets – a tactile harbour set that breathes with Cornish folklore. It perfectly complements the organic, storybook style of the piece. Zoe Spurr’s lighting is poetic: from moonlit tenderness to raging storms of emotion, it captures the ever-shifting tides of the narrative with elegance. Chi-San Howard’s choreography lends a windswept spontaneity to the movement, like the sea itself is pulling the cast this way and that.

The music is the beating heart of the production, lifting the story with every note. Darren Clark’s folk-inspired score, filled with stomping sea shanties and soaring ballads, is an emotional undercurrent from start to finish. Songs like “The Moon and The Sea”, “A Little Life” and “Kraken’s Lullaby” are instant standouts, with harmonies that echo like waves crashing against rocks. The entire cast play their own instruments, creating a rich, authentic sound that never lets you forget you’re watching something truly special.

Benedict Slater was exceptional in the titular role, his Benjamin was gentle, wide-eyed, and quietly courageous – capturing the difficult arc of a man who begins life with a stoop and ends it in swaddling. He brought a heartfelt stillness and innocence to the role that made the journey feel painfully real.

Clare Foster, as Elowen, was radiant – full of humour, vulnerability, and resolve. Her chemistry with Slater was tender and utterly believable, and her solo “Time” was one of the evening’s most emotional moments.

Jonathan Charles gave a layered performance as Roger Button – a father torn between shame, grief, and guilt. Jack Quarton’s Little Jack brought warmth and comedy in equal measure, with some of the evening’s most memorable lines.

This is one of the strongest ensemble casts I’ve seen on the West End stage. Each performer slips between characters and instruments with dazzling ease, creating a community so vivid, you feel part of it. It’s ensemble storytelling at its very finest.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is not just a musical – it’s a meditation on life, love, and the bittersweet flow of time. It’s folk theatre at its finest: raw, intimate, and unafraid to wear its heart on its sleeve.

There’s something incredibly moving about watching a man live his life backwards, only to discover that the most meaningful moments – connection, family, joy – are the same whether we’re growing older or younger. I left the theatre with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. This show didn’t just move me – it reminded me why I love theatre in the first place.

A tale that turns time on its head, Benjamin Button is a beautiful storm of storytelling, song and soul. Catch it before time runs out.

If you’d like more information about the show or to book tickets, simply click the button below to visit the official website.

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Photo Credit - Marc Brenner