Theatre review: Redcliffe, Southwark Playhouse

Redcliffe is sweet, funny, heartbreaking and tragic. A beautiful love story for the ages, with some of the best new songs I’ve heard in a musical in a long time. In short, I loved it and very much hope that the production I saw at Southwark Playhouse gets the West End transfer it deserves.

Say more about this wondrous new musical, I hear you say. Ok, so Redcliffe is the story of two gay men whose paths cross in 18th-century Bristol. It was created by Jordan Luke Gage, who wrote the book, music and lyrics after being inspired by the true story of William Critchard and Richard Arnold.

Bristol Archive records show that the two men were seen committing what was then an unlawful homosexual act by a witness and were sentenced to death. Jordan Luke Gage has filled in the gaps and imagined the love story that led to their tragic end.

William, perfectly played by Gage, is a shy, gentle soul who works as a footman and has come home to visit his widowed mother and sister for Christmas. Rebecca Lock and Jess Douglas-Welsh are both excellent in those parts, providing plenty of laughs in the first act and tears in the second.

Daniel Krikler is also brilliant as cocky sailor Richard, whose ship has docked in Redcliffe for a few days. There is instant and obvious chemistry between him and William. And after some initial reluctance due to the fear of being caught, the pair soon fall for each other. Sadly, their fear is realised when a witness spots their tryst in the Redcliffe caves.

Moving from comedy and light-hearted romance to heart-wrenching tragedy isn’t easy, but Gage has managed it exceptionally well. The same audience members that were laughing out loud in Act One were barely holding back the tears in Act Two. Myself included.

Along the way, there are some sensational musical numbers, performed by a very talented cast. I particularly loved “A Million Things I Know,” a fun duet sung by Richard and William. And “I Am Found, ” a beautiful song William sings about his new love. There are definitely many tunes that will stay with you after you leave the theatre.

And after it ends, Redcliffe also leaves its audience with the stark message that there are still 12 countries in the world where same sex relationships are punishable by death. Sadly, there is a long way to go before everyone in the world can love whoever they want to.

Redcliffe completes its run at Southwark Playhouse on 5 July, but I find it hard to imagine it won’t be on another stage at some stage in the future.

For more reviews of theatre, art, exhibitions, comedy and music, check the Arts section of my blog.