Redcliffe

Southwark Playhouse Borough

Playing until 4th July 2026

Book tickets

Photo credit: Pamela Raith

{PR Gifted ticket}

Taking place in the days leading up to Christmas day 1752, William Critchard (Jordan Luke Gage) returns to his family home in Redcliffe, Bristol, and is greeted by his doting mother (Rebecca Lock) and loving sister, Abigail (Jess Douglas Welsh). The family’s Christmas and days after are forever changed when William falls in love with Richard (Daniel Krikler), a navy lieutenant visiting town. However, this is a forbidden romance in the 1700s, when acts of homosexuality is prosecutable and punishable by death.

A deeply moving story that highlights the familial bond within the Critchard family, Jordan Luke Gage’s script and music showcase how much the family members care about each other and even when the town turns against them, they stand by each other and change all that they know to support William. Lock’s character in particular encompasses all the traits of a caring mother: pushy, overbearing, meddling in their personal affairs, and prepares to let go of her pride for the sake of her family. Lock does a lot of the emotional heavy lifting in this musical, displaying her joy, hesitations, ecstasy and sorrow as we bear witness to her character’s evolution.

Complimenting Lock, Douglas Welsh’s Abigail is also a formidable force to be reckoned. She outwardly pursues her love interest, Arthur (Joseph Peacock), learns to read and puts in all her efforts to find a legal loophole that would save her brother, traits that demonstrate the fact that she is well ahead of time, and again, putting everything on the line for her family. The to and fro between Abigal and her mother are impressively staged, emphasising the constant bicker and love for each other through songs like “The most amazing wedding”. While they say they couldn’t stand each other, there is nothing that can tear the two apart.

The chemistry between William and Richard is persuasive, particularly when physical intimacy directed by Haruka Kuroda is involved. Gage and Krikler’s hesitations towards the beginning is clear and justified given the political and legal landscape at the time, extending to some of their musical numbers like “A million things I know”, which could be considered as small talk and banter as the two become acquainted, with William quickly shutting it down when Richard attempts to perform a reprise of it slightly later on for wonderfully well timed comedic effects as things begin to get awkward again.

It is important to recognise the tonal shift of this production between the two Acts. In Act I focusing largely on William exploring and discovering who he is and what it is that feels towards Richard. Act II on the other hand, is noticeably bleaker, with friends turning a blind eye and start to distance themselves from the Critchard family and the officer’s attempt to break William’s spirit. However, among this, William remains strong, adamant and protective of his family. Gage’s performance shows tenderness each time he is visited by his family, physically and constantly reassuring them.

The set designed by Andrew Exeter feels simple that could be found in many black box theatre stages. However, it is far from that, with element of water that serves multiple purposes for the townsfolk, from a washing basin to a wishing well. The functional chairs and storage boxes are also manoeuvred with great precision, enabling the transformation of the stage from a pub, to family dinner table, and courtroom with relative ease. Perhaps the most breathtaking bit of the set comes in the form of a fully lit up passageway as William and Richard embark on a new journey together. The thin veils moving with the wind combined with the lighting designed by Matt Hockley resembles a path of hope and to a better tomorrow. An absolute showstopper finish to this musical.

Redcliffe shows incredible promise, giving the audience of the nuanced evolution of a number of characters, bound by a thread that focuses on William and Richard’s story. Faced with an impossible and hopeless situation, Redcliffe combats the discrimination and unfair treatments with fearless resolve.  

Creatives

Book, Music and Lyrics: Jordan Luke Gage

Director: Paul Foster

Choreographer: Emma Woods

Set Designer: Andrew Exeter

Costume Designer: Martin Hanly

Lighting Designer: Matt Hockley

Sound Designer: Alistair Penman

Fight and Intimacy Director: Haruka Kuroda