The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Southwark/Ambassadors

Hm… I like the idea of changing Benjamin’s job, although I hope they rewrote Jack’s dad joke to fit the theme. And I’m not gonna pass judgement on the new songs until I hear them.

But personally I really don’t like the sound of the watch change. Writers shouldn’t be afraid to have their characters fall low! There’s something so gorgeously poetic about this particular character “stealing time”.

Gonna see this next week - super looking forward to it! Adored it at Southwark Playhouse Elephant.

And, my verdict is this is a charming show, performed fully by talented actor-musicians. It is a small theatre and the Dress Circle view was perfect. The seats are packed into the Dress Circle, to the extent that you can’t even walk around the back if you’re sat at the side opposite the entrance. There is a secret door that will get you to the other side (rather than trying to get through a tightly packed row), but you need an usher to take you right outside the building and back in.

Some people did get caught out by the start time. A lot of the front row of the Stalls came in about 20 minutes in. A few people didn’t return for the second half. I can see that the style of the music, staging and story wouldn’t appeal to everyone.

John Dagleish is fantastic as Benjamin Button. He even gets to play guitar during the finale. Clare Foster stands out as well, but it’s a strong cast all around, especially considering how seamlessly they switch between acting and playing a variety of instruments.

I didn’t emotionally connect as much as others are reporting, but I certainly admire the production. I think I would have preferred this to be 10 minutes shorter. I’ll likely go back before this closes, but I also didn’t leave thinking I have to arrange multiple viewings. So, I’d rate this at four stars, with full understanding what many would give this five stars.

Don’t forget to pick up your free badge (button?) from an usher on the way out. Most people walked straight past.

Molly was also at the show on Saturday night and was on her feet whooping along to the bows etc.

As I said, I don't like puppets in general! The other original cast member is Matthew Burns. It's Benedict Salter who plays Roger Button. I see both are understudies for Benjamin Button.

Before I posted here, I wanted to gather my thoughts, think about the three versions I've seen (very envious of anyone who first discovered it at Salisbury!) and make them coherent. I've also wanted to find the programmes from 2019 & 2023 to just compare and clarify a few things. 


I am so in awe at the talent both on and off-stage that has come together to create this show. I still loved it, so unvoiced fears were unfounded, I was still emotionally connected with silent tears rolling, especially all through act 2. I have a return visit already booked on the 29th and another to plan - both with friends seeing it for the first time as well as another trip with the family.


I am also a big fan of thrust/traverse stages and fringe venues. For me, it's just makes for a more magical, intimate experience. The Ambassadors does a good job of retaining the feel because it's so tiny, but I love performances where the cast don't have to be facing front the whole time because the audience is all around them. It's hard to explain and doesn't make sense written down (!) but I feel more immersed *because* the performers are not always facing me. Like I've stumbled on a reality being played out in front of me with storytelling happening that would go on without me being there... And that's just a personal preference (a thought, not a fact ⏳). 



So I guess to sum up, right now (pending more viewings) last year's Southwark set-up had the edge for me (I saw it 3 times in the end; including the matinee on the last day when we decided not to go home and booked the last three seats for the evening in the interval instead!). My husband and 21yo son still marginally prefer the magic of the first Southwark outing in the Little with the cast of 5 and the puppets. 



But we all agree it is the best show we've ever seen together in so many ways. Not least through the messages that Jethro Compton and Darren Clark wanted to convey of home, belonging and acceptance. I took a photo of our group of 7 - husband, adult children, their partners and my bestie on Saturday outside the theatre before the show and captioned it "'My' Button fam". So when I read Darren's words in the programme last night I teared up again: "it's about taking nothing for granted, about filling our lives with people who fill our hearts and about making the most of the time that has been given to us". And that's why I believe this show has touched me so deeply every time I’ve seen it. 

Where did you sit? I'm sure distance from the stage has a big influence for me for enjoyment, for all but the very spectacular/effects driven shows I would rather be as close as possible, so would be interested to hear your thoughts.

I wanted to try buying them today to see and they were not available at all. I mean, you couldn’t try for it, you could only see „set alert”

Stalls, row H.

At SP, I was in the first row both times I attended the show and they were basically in my face, which I loved.

After a few days since the show, I think it’s the rewrite that didn’t work for me really

Any news on what are the rush seats for this?

Saw this again Saturday matinee - just as good as the first time I saw it. A wonderful piece of storytelling.

Saw the matinee of this yesterday. I had no idea it was set it Cornwall, so that was a nice surprise. I was totally blown away by it. What a stunning piece of theatre. I can't stop thinking about. Takes a lot to make me cry and this got me 😭.

We got rush tickets in row c of the circle and the view was brilliant

I saw this yesterday matinee and adored it. It wasn't on my list of something I wanted to see, but my friend was more enthusiastic to see it so got us rush tickets. What a special little musical it was. I was in awe of the cast with their talent of acting, singing, playing instruments and switching everything up. The music was great and the style was brilliant for me. If I'd paid full price I'd have been more than happy to have spent the money. This is definitely something I want to go and see again.