Cornishman's musical wins three Olivier Awards

Jethro Compton wanted to create a show set in Cornwall

The creator of a musical which has won three Olivier Awards said he was proud to bring home the prestigious prizes for his home county of Cornwall.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button won best new musical, outstanding musical contribution and best actor in a musical. it was also nominated for best actress in a musical at this year's awards ceremony.

Jethro Compton, director, stage designer, writer and lyricist, said: "I'm very grateful and very proud of the whole team."

Mr Compton, from Bude, created the show with help from The Hall For Cornwall (HFC) and said he knew he wanted to set it on a Cornish harbourside.

The production started as a document named "untitled Cornish musical" with the help of the development programme at HFC.

Mr Compton said he did not originally know what the story was going to be.

"I just knew I had this vision on the show and then I was trawling through online websites that discuss famous stories that have recently come into the public domain and I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," he said.

"I had no idea that the film was based on a short story so I quickly looked it up and put it in that setting that I have for this untitled Cornish musical."

He said he thought it would work perfectly because it fitted around mythology, storytelling and the traditions of Cornwall and folk music.

'It's the big one'

Mr Compton said: "Being somebody who's interested in theatre and growing up in North Cornwall ... doesn't really go hand in hand."

"It's an incredible place to grow up and I wish the theatre industry was more sustainable and stronger there.

"Growing up by the sea and that connection to the sea is woven through the show; the sea is almost one of the biggest central characters of the piece."

He said he was most proud of winning best new musical: "It's the big one that everyone's sort of fighting for."

HFC said it provided support and opportunities for 400 Cornwall-based artists every year.

Speaking about the importance of supporting artists in Cornwall, HFC Creative Director and CEO Julien Boast said: "We live in uncertain times, and forging new work is tough.

"By galvanising artists through support and partnerships, our Husa Artist Development programmes enable shining stars of our creative sector like Jethro, and so many others, to make a sizeable impact on the life and economy of Cornwall."

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is currently playing at Ambassadors Theatre in London's West End.