MUSICAL REVIEW: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ★★★★

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is such a lovely musical. Adapting the F. Scott Fitzgerald short story, the location is moved to the Cornish coast side, and retaining nothing but the central aspect of a man named Benjamin aging backwards. Jethro Compton (book and lyrics) and Darren Clark (music and lyrics) tell a story about someone, from their being born to their death, and it comes off as such a simplistic tale encompassing a feeling of beauty in and fragility of each of our lives. Clark’s music successfully carries the story along, with a fantastic consistent atmosphere, and the ensemble narrative utilised in Crompton’s book is extremely effective.

Compton, as director, and choreographer Chi-San Howard create some awe-inspiring pieces of movement, as the actors move around the incredibly designed set (also by Compton) playing their own instruments. I found myself to be slightly less engaged for the majority of act one, and so, in my experience, the show would benefit from holding onto the nice warm hug it creates when it first begins. Making the times said by each of the actors throughout the piece more clear might also make the production more effective.

Anna Kelsey’s costume designs are simplistic and charming, mixing with Compton’s set and Zoe Spurr’s lighting design beautifully. The colours created and the different types of lighting used in Spurr’s lighting are both wondrous and this design is one of the defining aspects of the production.

John Dagleish gives an accomplished performance as Benjamin Button. They are emotional and give incredible character frequently, though it always feels like they could give themself over to Benjamin, as the character goes through their ages, ever so slightly more. At my performance, the role of Elowen Keane, Benjamin’s wife, was played by Philippa Hogg, in a fantastically nuanced performance that felt incredibly naturalistic and warming to the audience.

Overall, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a timeless musical that will leave you with wonderlust, making sure that every last moment counts.