Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Ambassador’s Theatre - A Rare and Beautiful Thing
John Dagleish and the cast of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Image by Marc Brenner.
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ - 96% • 3 minutes 42 seconds read time
Every decade or so, a musical comes along that in its bravery to be exactly what the story demands, instead of trying to fit the story into the confines of what we think musical theatre should be, manages to push the boundaries of what musical theatre could be, ever evolving the medium. Hamilton in 2014. In the Heights in 2008. Rent in 1994. Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at the Ambassadors Theatre is that kind of show.
The story of Benjamin Button—a man born old who ages backwards—could easily have become gimmicky, but in this production, it becomes something profoundly moving. It’s a tale that explores time, love, and the fleeting nature of life with a grace that is rare to find on stage. The creators have crafted a narrative that is at once intimate and epic, pulling the audience into Benjamin’s world and letting us experience his journey in a way that feels as fresh as it is timeless.
The ensemble cast is remarkable—each performer multitasks as singer, actor, dancer, and instrumentalist, bringing a wealth of musicality and energy to the production. It’s no small achievement to have a cast where every person is not only a strong performer but also a skilled musician. To see them transition seamlessly from singing in delicate harmony to picking up an instrument and filling the space with sound is a thrill in itself. Yet amidst this collective brilliance, it is John Dagleish’s performance as Benjamin that truly anchors the show.
Dagleish faces the impossible challenge of making us believe in a man who ages backwards - and without the aid of prosthetics, wigs, or makeup- and he does so with a sensitivity and depth that feels revelatory. The way he transforms—subtly adjusting his physicality, the weight of his steps, the set of his shoulders, and the timbre of his voice—makes him entirely convincing at every stage of Benjamin’s life. There is a remarkable elasticity to his performance, a sense that he holds both youth and age within him, navigating the nuances of each with grace. He is as credible playing a wide eyed youth as he is embodying an old man. But also finding this specific balance this character requires where he is physically old but technically a youthful mind experiencing the world for the first time, and physically young but technically an old man reflecting on a life filled with unusual beauty and sorrow. And his singing—whether tender or powerful—is pitch-perfect throughout, bringing a raw honesty to the score that hits straight to the heart.
The entire production exudes a kind of cohesiveness that is rare to find, where every creative element feels like it belongs exactly where it is, but also like they exist as call and response. A conversation between the sound, and the lighting, and the set design, and the costume, and the choreography, that together tells the whole tale. It’s a testament to the vision behind the piece and the commitment of everyone involved. The music, composed with a mix of lyrical folk and evocative melodies, is lush and haunting, reflecting both the epic scope of Benjamin’s journey and its deeply personal, introspective nature. There is an organic quality to the way the songs flow in and out of the narrative, allowing the story to unfold with a natural rhythm that is both captivating and deeply moving.
What makes The Curious Case of Benjamin Button so exceptional is that, despite the fantastical nature of its premise, it captures a deep and relatable humanity. It tells a story about a man who ages backwards, yet it reflects the struggles and hopes we all carry within us. Everyone has something—a challenge or a burden, sometimes heavier than others—but the show reminds us that these struggles do not mean we cannot find beauty, joy, and connection in our lives. It embraces the idea that, even wrapped up with sorrow and melancholy, there is space for love, hope, and wonder. Benjamin’s journey becomes a mirror, showing us that the difficult, the extraordinary, and the everyday can coexist, and that in facing our own realities, we can still find moments of light.
This is not a show that fits neatly into any mould of musical theatre. It is expansive and intricate, a narrative tapestry that is by turns tender, joyous, and heartrending. It embraces its own complexity, but never loses sight of the heart that beats at its centre. That heart is Benjamin, and the story of a life lived out of order, yet still rich with love and loss.
In the end, this production feels like a gift to those lucky enough to witness it. It is the sort of show that lingers in the mind long after the final note has been sung, like a dream that you can’t quite shake. There is an undeniable magic to this production, a sense that you are witnessing something truly special, I left the Ambassadors Theatre feeling as though I had experienced something truly extraordinary, a piece of theatre that will resonate with audiences for years to come. If you have the chance to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, don’t hesitate—it is a rare and beautiful thing, and it deserves to be seen.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is running at the Ambassadors Theatre until February 15th. Tickets here.