Review – Redcliffe – Southwark Playhouse Borough, London

Tonight I am at the press night of the brand new musical Redcliffe at the Southwark Playhouse Borough. Redcliffe has been a work in progress for a short while now, and I was lucky enough to see their Act One workshop at the Turbine Theatre during MT Fest 2024. The show now plays, for the very first time, in its full glory, and it’s marvellous to see how far this musical has come.

Redcliffe tells the tragic story of William Critchard and Richard Arnold. This tale explores forbidden love and the consequences of simply being yourself in Bristol during the 18th century. It is a true story brought to life onstage and packs a powerful message that, in many countries, events like this still occur.

Jordan Luke Gage (well known for his work as a stage actor in Bonnie and Clyde, Bat Out of Hell and & Juliet) writes the book, music and lyrics for this musical. Having one vision in the creation of the material has clearly served it well; the dialogue flows seamlessly into song, and there is not an inch of artistic difference as it is all written by Gage. After seeing the original presentation and then the full show, it is great to see which moments have been edited and which remain as they were.

There are some rather catchy songs within Redcliffe, and some that will become very popular without a doubt. Jordan Luke Gage has a knack for writing meaningful and exciting musical theatre numbers. Sometimes a book can really affect a show, but Jordan Luke Gage’s writing is punchy and pacey right from the off. This is something that strikes me in the first 20 minutes of the show, as there are plenty of comedic moments in a show that I was expecting to be more tragic. Act Two arrives and that comedy is swapped for tension and grief — Gage evidently knows how to bring light and shade to his work.

Paul Foster directs this wonderfully within the space. Having a show in thrust staging in a venue like ‘The Large’ at Southwark Playhouse Borough can pose problems with sightlines; however, I feel this is done very cleverly and gives an intimate look to this story. Every beat makes you feel something, whether it is comedy or tension. Foster has taken Jordan Luke Gage’s words from the page and turned them into a spectacular stage production.

As well as writing the book, music and lyrics, Jordan Luke Gage also plays one of the show’s leading roles, William Critchard. Having such a deep connection to the words and music serves Gage well in this role, as he conveys deep emotion through big numbers such as “Pressure Pot” and “I Am Found”. His performance is delightful, giving us as an audience a close look into the story through William’s eyes and making us root for him from the very start.

The ultimate standout for me is Rebecca Lock as William’s mother, Mary. Rebecca Lock is a sensation! Every second she spends onstage, my eyes are drawn to her. Lock has an undeniable stage presence. In the first act she brings endless energy to the stage with her impeccable comedic chops before cutting out our hearts in Act Two with her raw emotion and despair. Truly, this is an unforgettable performance from Rebecca Lock, one I will be talking about for a very long time. Her rendition of “Hurricane” brings tears to my eyes and, looking around the room, I am not alone. She gives her all on that stage, and it is an honour to see a true master of their craft at work. If for no other reason, see Redcliffe simply for Lock’s nuanced character work.

Making her London stage debut as Abigail, William’s sister, is Jess Douglas Welsh, who has been attached to the show since its The Other Palace workshops. Welsh brings a lovely energy to the stage, having some really wonderful chemistry with Rebecca Lock during their joint numbers. In Act Two, Welsh brings a sweet innocence to a dark tale — it is nice to have a lighter character to follow. Jess Douglas Welsh is definitely a talent to look out for in more musicals over the coming years.

Richard is played by Daniel Krikler, who has a marvellous vocal talent and really shows that off during his first number onstage. His portrayal of Richard is honest, cheeky and warm, making the events that unfold even more heartbreaking. Krikler is a joy to watch and works perfectly with Jordan Luke Gage’s William.

Redcliffe also features a tight ensemble playing various characters from Redcliffe, Bristol. Each one stands out for their own reasons and gives the audience plenty of laughs as well as tense moments to sit through. Their slick movement of props and seats throughout the performance makes this run like a well-oiled machine.

Seeing this fully realised onstage for the first time is very exciting for me. I particularly enjoy the way the story lulls you into a false sense of security with a surprisingly funny Act One (most of which comes from Rebecca Lock), only to leave you heartbroken and in tears by the midpoint of Act Two. This one really is an emotional rollercoaster!

Visit the Southwark Playhouse Borough to see this epic musical during its short run until the 4th July. It is a must-see for anyone looking to experience a tear-jerking musical with a true story that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last moment.

*****    Five Stars