The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
- 2hr 30min. Incl. interval.
- Ambassadors Theatre
- 4.2/5 based on 5 reviews
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button photos
- Booking details
- Booking until: Saturday, 15 February 2025
- Running time: 2hr 30min. Incl. interval.
- Age restrictions
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button description
Benjamin Button was born old, facing a weird life where he gets younger day by day. This curious tale dates back to 1922 and proved a smash hit when turned into a movie in 2008. Now it’s a West End musical with excellent credentials, not to be missed.
The musical has already wowed audiences in a sell-out run at the Southwark Theatre. Now this wonderful foot-stomping award-winning show is due in the West End, complete with a brilliant soundtrack played live by a troupe of talented actor-musicians.
This critically acclaimed production makes its theatreland debut at the Ambassadors Theatre in October 2024. The original enjoyed widespread acclaim, winning the 2024 Best Musical Theatre Production award at the Off West End Awards.
A curious tale that leaves audience spellbound
The story follows Benjamin Button, who is born an old man. His strange journey through life questions what it means to belong and explores the very essence of being. The result is a fascinating love story that transcends time to overcome the impossible, enhanced by a gorgeous score performed live by an ensemble who, together, re-imagine the US author F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic tale.
The action has been relocated to a small Cornish fishing village by the writing team Jethro Compton and Darren Clark. The book and lyrics come from Compton and the music and lyrics from Clark, produced by ATG Productions, Gary Beestone Associates, Gavin Kalin Productions, Eilene Davidson Productions, Umeda Arts Theater, and Jethro Compton Productions.
The short story, the movie, the musical
Film producer Ray Stark had been trying to get the project off the ground since the 1980s, finally making Fitzgerald’s strange short story into a 2008 romantic fantasy film directed by David Fincher. Eric Roth and Robin Swicord adapted the plot, leaving it loosely based on the 1922 original, and the film starred Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton.
It enjoyed great critical acclaim, was loved by audiences and grossed huge amounts at the box office. It was given 13 Academy Award nominations at the 81st ceremony including Best Picture, Best Director for Fincher, Best Actor for Pitt, and Best Supporting Actress for Taraji P. Henson. It won three for Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, and Best Visual Effects. And the stage musical is tipped to be just as popular.
What started life as a low-key project has shot to prominence thanks to the people who’ve seen the show at the Southwark Playhouse. When audiences rate a production this high and it sells out night after night, you know for sure it’s something special.
