In a sleepy town in Cornwall, a woman gives birth, but it’s not what she and her husband expected. You see, it’s not a baby that is born but an old man. And thus this is the story of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
No one expects a 70 year old man to be born, but in this story this is the case. And his parents, who name him Benjamin Button (played by Jamie Parker) don’t know what to do, so they hide him away in the attic. Benjamin is not allowed to go outside – he’s an oddity – and his parents think it is best to keep it secret from the rest of society. But as Benjamin is getting younger, his mother struggles to comes to terms with the situation, while his father does the best he can. But when his mother takes her own life, Benjamin gets more curious about the outside world. Then one night he sneaks out of the house, goes to the local pub, has his first pint, and makes eye contact with a woman (Molly Osborne) who he is automatically smitten with. When his father kicks him out of the house, Benjamin must fend for himself in a world that may or may not understand, and accept him.
But can Benjamin lead a normal life, make friends, get married and have kids? Benjamin is getting younger while everyone else is getting older – is there anything Benjamin can do to ‘be normal’?
Set in the wonderful brand new Southwark Playhouse Elephant, this production will keep you mesmerised throughout. Brilliantly set to fabulous music by an extremely talented bunch of musicians who, through song, help to tell the story of Benjamin Button. To say they are very good is an understatement – for without them this would be just another ordinary play.
Based on the short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby and The Tender and the Damned. With 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.
To say it is a must see is an understatement – me and my companion really enjoyed it, it’s unique and beautifully told, and this is what theatre is all about!