The Olivier Award-winning production The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Musical is a poignant and imaginative stage adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's story, reimagining the tale of a man who ages in reverse. To find out more about this story, which explores time, love and identity, we chat with leading lady Clare Foster, who chats with London Box Office all about this remarkable British musical.
Clare Foster.
You’ve worked on a fantastic array of productions in your career including Merrily We Roll Along, Finding Neverland and Avenue Q. What keeps you inspired to fulfil your career in the theatre industry?
There’s nothing like theatre and having a live experience with an audience and your company every night. Each show is slightly different and has new energy and the relationship with the audience, as everyone always says, is so special and unique. Plus getting to do new material alongside some of the greatest playwrights keeps it exhilarating.
What is about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button which made you want to be involved in its West End transfer? Did you see the show when it was playing at the Southwark Playhouse?
I did not see it at Southwark sadly as it was such a short run, though I heard about it and how much people were enjoying it.
I came to the production through our producer Richard Darbourne, who I worked with 10-years ago on Guys and Dolls (which was the last time I was in a musical actually!). He texted me and said, “Hey listen, this show is…” and I quote… “‘Big heart, high stakes... you eat that shit for breakfast’”. Ha, so that was my first intro into this beaut of a show.
This is a homegrown musical. Why do you think it’s important for audiences to come and see a show like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?
If you look at the commercial journey of new shows over the past couple of years, it’s been so amazing to see mainstream platforms for new writing and audiences responding to that so positively and financially. It’s vital that producers feel they can take a swing at putting on new productions, and that can only be achieved by audiences showing up. And clearly there is an appetite for new marital, which is thrilling.
But regarding Button itself, people should come because it genuinely has an impact on people’s lives. It’s a hard one to take a snippet from as it really is the whole journey of the show that takes you along with it, and you get to actually EXPERIENCE theatre in the most profound, beautiful way. It’s like reading a whole novel in a few hours - you go on a life journey with Benjamin, sharing his heartbreak and shame, his courage and adventure, his love and loss and life lessons. It is the most beautifully human form of entertainment and one you very rarely get to experience in the theatre.
For those who are unfamiliar with the musical, can you tell us a little bit about it and your character in particular?
Many know the short story (or film) where a man is born old and ages backwards in time. Regarding the show, that is the only premise that has carried over, as it has been completely reimagined by Jethro Compton and Darren Clark. It is set in Cornwall, has completely new characters and a completely new storyline with an ensemble of actor-musicians who play over 40 instruments live on stage, as well as narrate and play all the roles.
I play Elowen Keene who is ‘the only woman he (Benjamin) would ever love’. Benjamin meets Elowen at a pub called The Pickled Crab where she works, the first night he ventures into the village. They have 5 years before they manage to have a proper conversation because he is so shy, but over that time a connection forms and a series of events leads to them having an epic love story across decades. The rest you’ll have to come and see because my words won’t do it justice!
Do you have any pre-show rituals you do before every performance?
I try not to have any rituals, as I think you can get too in your head about things if, for whatever reason you don’t get to do them. I always brush my teeth and put perfume on but that just feels like personal hygiene rather than a ritual!
This production features an ensemble of actor-musicians. How is this element important to the pace and direction of the musical?
I think it is honestly the most astonishing thing to witness. I know Jethro always wanted to do an actor-musician show and frankly, it’s hard to imagine it not being done so.
We don’t have a Musical Director as such (though cast member Matthew Burns is our Resident Musical Director and keeps us on our toes!) so every intro to music is led by a company member, often done through a breath or head movement. The communication, pacing and collaboration is honestly something I’ve never experienced before and is incredible. I’ve never felt so supported whilst singing - it’s like the whole company are storytelling with you so regarding direction it’s so present and has such care. Also, our running times are pretty much exact to the minute every night so that’s a sign of consistency of pacing too!
It’s quite an emotionally driven musical too. How do you manage that as actors working on the show on a weekly basis?
Honestly, it’s just our jobs! I know that’s not a very sexy answer, but you switch into the moment and switch off again. Of course, some days are harder than others if you’re tired or one of us is going through something but it’s our job to pretend and take other people on the journey. It’s not about us.
Do you have any favourite songs and/or moments from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?
I really love ‘The Moon and the Sea’ because I think it’s just such a romantic and clever song - it’s the song that made me fall in love with the show. ‘Rollin’ Away’ is pretty epic too. I mean, they’re all bangers. I also personally love the scenes with little Jack. Jack Quarton has such a beautiful stillness and honesty is his work and he breaks your heart. There is something so brave about Jethro’s writing too that he doesn’t tie everything up with a nice bow. Relationships and life are messy. Not everything gets resolved, and it’s about learning to live with that. You don’t often see that, particularly in musical theatre, and I love those aspects.
What do you hope audiences will take away from watching your show?
I honestly hope they feel they’ve had a unique experience and that it is something that will sit with them for a long time. I hope the show inspires them to call their parents or kids or friends they’ve not seen for a long time. That they hold their partner’s hand a little tighter.
I hope they feel inspired to go out and Live. That’s the message of the show, to remember how precious time is and to spend it on the things that matter.
Finally, why should people watch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?
I hope I’ve answered it, but for a recap…
1) To see amazing actor-musicians who will blow you away with their talent
2) To experience a profoundly beautiful epic story of love, loss, adventure all in 3 hours, and to come on a life journey with us. I promise you it’ll be worth it.
3) To support new writing of a British musical that has reimagined something you think you might know, but I promise will surprise you. Come see something you can’t predict! I promise it’ll be worth it!
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is currently playing at the Ambassadors Theatre until 30 August 2025.
