The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (musical)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a musical with book and lyrics by Jethro Compton, music and lyrics by Darren Clark, and based on the 1922 short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
West End promotional poster
Music	Darren Clark
Lyrics	Darren Clark Jethro Compton
Book	Jethro Compton
Basis	"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Premiere	15 May 2019: Southwark Playhouse
Productions	2019 Southwark 2023 Southwark revival 2024 West End
Awards	Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Contribution

Production history

Off-West End (2019, 2023)

The musical made its world premiere at the Southwark Playhouse on 15 May 2019 for a limited run until 8 June.^[1] The production was directed by Jethro Compton. The cast included James Marlowe in the titular role, alongside Matthew Burns, Rosalind Ford, Joey Hickman, and Philippa Hogg.^[2]

The production returned to the Southwark Playhouse, running from 22 May to 1 July 2023. The expanded cast included Matthew Burns, Jonathan Charles, Oonagh Cox, Anna Fordham, Philippa Hogg, Damien James, Ann Marcuson, Molly Osborne, Jamie Parker, Jack Quarton, Benedict Salter and Tonny Shim.^[3]

West End (2024-)

The musical transferred to the Ambassadors Theatre in the West End. Performances began from 10 October 2024 and the production is currently booking until August 2025. John Dagleish plays Benjamin Button with Clare Foster as Elowen Keene, and the production features the majority of the 2023 Southwark Playhouse supporting cast with the addition of Katy Ellis, Elliot Mackenzie and Emily Panes.^[4][5]

Plot

The musical begins at the end of World War I in a small Cornish fishing village and follows Benjamin's life as he ages in reverse through the twentieth century.^[6] As in the original short story, Benjamin Button is born as an old man and ages backwards.^[6] The relationship between Benjamin and Elowen progresses as she ages and he grows younger.

Cast and characters

Character	World Premiere[2]	Off-West End[3]	West End[5]
	2019	2023	2024
Benjamin Button	James Marlowe	Jamie Parker	John Dagleish
Elowen Keene	Rosalind Ford Philippa Hogg	Molly Osborne	Clare Foster

Musical numbers

Act 1 Rag Ty Yw Tre The Western Wind The Kraken’s Lullaby A Little Life When E’re She looked At Me Matter Of Time I The Moon And The Sea Will You Go? Home Home (Reprise) Shippin’ Out Tomorrow

Act 2 The Western Wind (Reprise) The Tide Is Comin’ In Matter Of Time II The Tide Is Comin’ In (Reprise) Rollin’ Away Rollin’ Away (Reprise) The Kraken’s Lullaby (Reprise) Home (Reprise) Time A Little Life (Reprise) The Western Wind (Reprise) Rag Ty Yw Tre (Reprise) Rollin’ Away (Reprise)

Critical reception

The musical received five-star reviews from WhatsOnStage, Broadway World, The Reviews Hub and The Upcoming.^[7] Its 2023 revival won the 2024 Offies award for best musical production.^[8]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominee	Result
2025	Laurence Olivier Awards[9][10]	Best New Musical		Won
		Best Actor in a Musical	John Dagleish	Won
		Best Actress in a Musical	Clare Foster	Nominated
		Outstanding Musical Contribution	Darren Clark (Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements), Mark Aspinall (Musical Direction, Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements)	Won