Benjamin Button Ambassadors Theatre: What to know about the heartfelt new West End musical and how to find tickets

Learn all about this emotional adaptation and find your Curious Case of Benjamin Button musical tickets now

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Find out how to book The Curious Case of Benjamin Button tickets

 

 

What is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button about?

F Scott Fitzgerald introduced the world to his celebrated fable The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in 1922 and it has been a favourite ever since. It was adapted into a Hollywood movie starring Brad Pitt and is now a gorgeous stage musical that is transferring from Southwark Playhouse to the West End on October 10, 2024.

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The clever premise is that Benjamin Button has a rare condition that causes him to age backwards – so he’s born as an old man and gets gradually younger. That causes complications with romance and family but it beautifully makes the point that life is brief and we should cherish every moment.

This gem of a British musical was created by Jethro Compton and Darren Clark, who move the action to a Cornish fishing village, which means their lovely score includes sea shanties and folk music. The talented cast of actor-musicians play instruments as well as sing and act, creating a richly immersive experience.

How to buy tickets for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

You can find seats for the London production of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on Telegraph Tickets. Check the site for the latest prices. 

The cast

The beguiling tale of Benjamin Button is a pleasure for actors to get their teeth into, as we saw when David Fincher directed the story for the big screen. Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton starred in the movie version, which won three Oscars.

The 2023 company of the stage musical The Curious Case of Benjamin Button featured Jamie Parker (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Next to Normal), Matthew Burns, Jonathan Charles, Oonagh Cox, Anna Fordham, Philippa Hogg, Damien James, Ann Marcuson, Molly Osborne, Jack Quarton, Benedict Salter and Tonny Shim. We don’t yet know the casting for the West End run, but we may well see this incredible team reprising their roles. 

The show is written by the up-and-coming British team of Jethro Compton and Darren Clark, with Compton also directing. This West End transfer to the Ambassadors Theatre follows a sold-out run at Southwark Playhouse.

The details

Where is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button playing?

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button runs at the Ambassadors Theatre on West Street, Covent Garden, from October 10, 2024.

What is the running time of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button runs for two hours and 45 minutes, including an interval.

How long is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button running for?

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is currently booking to February 15, 2025. 

What is the minimum age for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?

The age recommendation for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is 12-plus.

Does The Curious Case of Benjamin Button have accessible performances?

The show hasn’t yet announced its access plans. Please head to the theatre website for more information about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button access performances.

The review

“The music, soaked with the warmth of sea-shanties and balladry, isn’t just ornamental; it makes you feel, on the pulse, the thrumming nature of being with its stomping energy, looping refrains and joie de vivre.” Read the full Telegraph review.

FAQs

Who wrote the book The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?

Benjamin Button is the creation of F Scott Fitzgerald, who also wrote enduring works such as The Great Gatsby. He wrote it as a short story for Collier’s Magazine in May 1922 and published it in his anthology of the same year, Tales of the Jazz Age.

Was Benjamin Button a true story?

We’re afraid not. It would take magic or science fiction to make this plot a reality, since it involves someone ageing backwards. But Fitzgerald was apparently inspired by a popular saying, “Youth is wasted on the young”, and there are real-life experiences, ideas and themes within his story.

Is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button appropriate?

The age recommendation for the show is 12-plus. It’s a lovely family-friendly show in many respects but does deal with some grown-up elements – including some scenes during wartime and reflections on love and mortality. 

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