Southwark Playhouse is know for being a hotbed for developing new British musical theatre and their current production of Redcliffe looks set to continue this trajectory. The new musical by Jordan Luke Gage is set in the town of Redcliffe, Bristol in 1752/1753 during a time where homosexuality was punishable by death and is based on true events following the love story of William Critchard and Richard Arnold.
The book of Redcliffe is beautifully woven together by Jordan Luke Gage. Act 1 spends the time setting the scene and developing the relationships with William and his family as well as him meeting and falling for Richard. The tone is lighter as families are reunited and love begins to grow. There is a huge tonal shift in Act 2 as the consequences of their love is explored. However this shift is dealt with well and despite the gravity of the situation in Act 2 it is peppered with some lighter moments as well as glimpses of hope and optimism. The characters not only of William, alongside his mother and sister Abigail, feels fully realised, allowing the audience to understand not only the impact of his love story but also the devastating consequences of his persecution on those closest to him. Richard is a harder character to develop, especially considering his comparatively lesser stage time to William however the strength of the show and the underlying themes mean that this is almost inconsequential to the audience. Jordan Luke Gage also succeeds in making the show’s themes feel relevant today in an incredibly powerful ending to the show. These final moments refuse to allow the audience the comfort of distancing themselves from the events has merely historical and instead Redcliffe asks us to reflect on how far society has come and how far it still has to go.
The music and lyrics are also by Jordan Luke Gage and Redcliffe succeeds in delivering a variety of musical styles well, from the haunting opening number to the upbeat ‘Pint or Four,’ though it is in the ballads where the score is at its strongest, particularly ‘Hurricane’ sung by ‘Mother.’ A minor quibble was the inclusion of ‘Felix Farley’s Christmas Poem’ whilst it provides a brief moment of levity, it feels disconnected from the central narrative and does little to advance wither the plot or character development.
The cast of 10 did an exceptional job. Jordan Luke Gage himself played William. Having seen him as Clyde in Bonnie & Clyde and Romeo in & Juliet, this production further demonstrates his versatility as a performer. I immediately believed in his unassuming manner and his soaring vocals swept me up in his music. Rebecca Lock played Mother and she was a tour de force in this role, from playing on her well established comedic chops through to her devastating rendition of Hurricane there is seemingly nothing this woman cannot do. Daniel Krikler played Richard and his chemistry with Jordan Luke Gage was palpable and due to this and the excellent writing, it made the closing moments of the show ‘My Man’ and ‘The Launch’ incredibly powerful. I also enjoyed Krikler’s portrayal of Richard as a contrast to William, more confident (but not quite cocky) and slightly more worldly wise.
The staging was was conceived by set designer Andrew Exeter and the use of it by director Paul Foster. Staged on a thrust stage Exeter surrounds the performers with a rustic feel – a wooden stage, crates as props and seats and an ever present wooden frame hanging above the stage with William and Richard’s names carved into it. This helps immediately establish a sense of time and a tangible place. Paul Foster also makes effective use of the ensemble, who frequently remain onstage observing the action even when not directly involved. Their constant presence served as a reminder of the ever-watchful society in which William and Richard were forced to live.
Redcliffe is a powerful addition to the growing catalogue of new British musicals and a timely reminder of the stories that still need to be told. Combining an emotionally engaging love story with a stirring score and strong performances across the company Jordan Luke Gage has created a piece that feels both historically rooted and strikingly relevant. It is a musical that entertains, moves and challenges in equal measures.
Redcliffe is currently playing at Southwark Playhouse (Borough) until 4th July. You can find out more here.
If you like this review you might also like my review of 1536, The Mousetrap and Operation Mincemeat.