Review: Redcliffe (Southwark Playhouse Borough)

Review by Daz Gale

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One of the biggest joys I find in this industry is the opportunity to watch a new musical develop and grow over the years - none more so than Jordan Luke Gage's Redcliffe. Since the first act premiered in 2024 as part of MTFest, I have followed its journey with excitement. Years later, the show is finally ready for its first steps as a fully staged production, opening at Southwark Playhouse Borough. From my first experience with this show, I had a keen sense that this would be something special with the right nurturing. Has it managed to reach its full potential already, and can a story set nearly 300 years ago find relevance and a way to connect with a 21st-century audience?

Set in 1752-53, Redcliffe is named after the place in Bristol and is based on the true story of William Critchard and Richard Arnold. A man from humble beginnings, William’s world is rocked when he meets Richard, a sailor visiting the town. As the two men begin to fall in love, they begin to question everything they know about the world and themselves. However, engaging in homosexual activity is against the law and punishable by death. The question for these two men becomes how much are you willing to risk for your true love, and do these lovers have any chance at a happy ending?

Jordan Luke Gage has built a strong following and reputation through his leading man roles in musicals such as Bonnie & Clyde, &Juliet and Bat Out Of Hell, but Redcliffe marks his first foray into writing, giving him the chance to showcase his other talents. Often, I worry when I see “Book, music and lyrics” are written by the same person, as past experience has led to musicals that suffer from a lack of collaboration, with either one element being stronger than the others, or none of them quite reaching a strong enough standard. Jordan has managed to escape this, instead demonstrating what a remarkable talent he is as a writer.

In terms of his music and lyrics, Jordan Luke Gage has an expert ear for a good song. His lyrics range from heartfelt to humorous, but keep consistent in their overall strengths, while the music creates a series of original songs that are instantly memorable. From comedic standout ‘The Most Amazing Wedding’ to the addictive ‘Loophole’, the standard remains solid throughout. However, it is in the ballads where Jordan finds his greatest strength and truest voice, with early number ‘Pressure Pot’, the stunning ‘Void Of Love’ and powerful ‘Hurricane’ among the three biggest standout numbers in the show. The only time the music falls ever so slightly short is in Act Two, number ‘Felix Farley’s Christmas Poem’, which still showcases Gage’s strengths as a writer, but feels at odds with the rest of the show.

Inspired by true events, Jordan Luke Gage has very clearly poured his heart and soul into writing a book that fittingly tells the story of what so many men went through with great care and sensitivity. Redcliffe is very much a show of two halves, with Act One offering a lighter approach with some riotously funny moments to be found, before the rug is pulled out from under you to deal with a much more sombre and emotional second act. Gage navigates these conflicting tones with ease, and it is a testament to his strength as a writer that the balance of lightness and darkness is so beautifully realised, without one feeling stronger than the other.

This is a very powerful story, and one that still resonates some 274 years on with the knowledge that homosexuality remains punishable by death in at least 12 countries and is still considered to be a criminal activity in 65 others. While the extremities are not as severe in the UK, the rights of LGBTQIA+ people are still in question, with society seemingly going backwards, especially with news that has come out in the last seven days. This all makes Redcliffe such an important and thought-provoking watch. Because society didn’t understand, men lost their lives for the simple reason of being in love. That might seem inconceivable and alien, but it is crucial to understand where we have been to stop ourselves from moving backwards, and remember the importance of love and life. With that in mind, Jordan Luke Gage has created a beautiful and well-realised musical that pays tribute to the memories of those who lost their lives so that we could continue with ours.

Director Paul Foster brings Gage’s vision to life at The Large in Southwark Playhouse Borough, maximising the intimacy through Andrew Exeter’s set design to ensure a real connection with the audience. With the stage coming alive with beautiful lighting from Matt Hockley, Foster’s direction is at its best when it focuses on the intimacy between the two men, with the tension in the air during their initial scenes making for a riveting watch. Foster also excels at the comedy moments in Act One, particularly when working with the sensational Rebecca Lock as Mother (more on her shortly).

The direction fell a bit short in the second act, where the energy dipped, and several choices didn’t land with as much impact as they should have. The disappearance of Richard for most of the act left a sizable hole, and not every choice managed to patch this up. Given the first act was pretty faultless, it was a shame this high standard didn’t quite continue after the interval - I even wondered whether Redcliffe would have benefited from being a one-act show instead, so that the momentum isn’t lost and the energy built in the first act can continue strongly as it races towards the devastating climax.

Not content with writing Redcliffe, Jordan Luke Gage also leads the show as William. Time and time again, Jordan has proven what a force to be reckoned with in his musical theatre roles, and this is no different. Showcasing a more sensitive and understated character, Jordan delivers a compelling turn as William in a sweet and sensitive portrayal that has the audience falling in love with him every bit as much as Richard is. There are also opportunities for Jordan to showcase his breathtaking vocals, especially shining on ‘Void Of Love’.

This isn’t simply “the Jordan Luke Gage show,” and it is refreshing how much weight is given to the other characters in the show. Daniel Krikler is warm and engaging as Richard, instantly displaying a great dynamic with Gage’s William, especially on their first number together, ‘A Million Things I Know’. Such is the strength of Krikler’s performance that he is immeasurably missed in the show’s second act. Steven Serlin is wonderfully sinister as the officer, showing a different side to himself in a dual role as Felix Farley. Adrian Hansel gets a moment to shine at the start of Act Two as Baber, with Melissa Jacques getting some comedic moments early on in her time as Georgie. Jess Douglas-Welsh delivers a sweet performance as William’s sister, Abigail, coming alive on scenes with Joseph Peacock’s Arthur to create an intriguing secondary love story, and enjoying one of the more beautiful moments in the show in her solo number ‘The Girl From Redcliffe’.

However, the standout in Redcliffe once again belongs to the inimitable Rebecca Lock. A powerhouse performer with remarkable range - in the last year alone, she has belted out Steps songs in Here & Now, and portrayed a teenage girl in Freaky Friday. In Redcliffe, she is “Mother”, and never has a name been more fitting. Lock can do no wrong, and she gets to showcase her many strengths in this show, kicking off with a larger-than-life and exaggerated character early on. Her knack for comic timing is faultless, with ‘The Most Amazing Wedding’ made even funnier through every mannerism and movement she adopts. There is more to Mother than just superficial humour, however, and Lock embraces this in the second act as her world crumbles, delivering a heart-wrenching rendition of the show’s most emotional number, ‘Hurricane’. As the verdict on her son comes in, Lock’s reaction will break your heart into pieces. With great comedy, humanity and out-of-this-world vocals, Rebecca Lock proves what an undoubted star she is in the perfect vehicle for her talents and what may be a career best performance.

It was a real joy to finally see Redcliffe come to life on stage, more than two years after I found myself wowed by the first 45 minutes of the piece. Jordan Luke Gage has created something incredibly special with this show and demonstrated what an exceptional talent he is both as a writer and a performer. I’d be lying if I said it was perfect just yet, but neither should it be for its first fully-staged outing. The potential here is clear to see, and making the smallest of tweaks to the second act should easily push Redcliffe up to the five-star show it is destined to be. If you are looking for a reason to get a ticket to Redcliffe, this show offers a plethora of them - from stunning songs, a beautiful story and an incredible cast. Redcliffe is proof of what can be achieved when you take the time to develop and nurture your show, and the result is one of the most exciting new musicals you are likely to see all year.

Redcliffe plays at Southwark Playhouse Borough until 4th July. Tickets from https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/redcliffe/ 

Photos by Pamela Raith