Review: Redcliffe at the Southwark Playhouse, Borough
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A story that leaves you speechless”
Redcliffe is based on the true story of William Critchard and Richard Arnold, set between 1752 and 1753 in Redcliffe, Bristol. It explores the hard times of two men and their forbidden love. Jordan Luke Gage, a musical theatre performer, has written the book, music, and lyrics for the show.
Because the Southwark Playhouse Borough is quite small, the production team had to be creative with the staging. While bigger musicals are great, I seem to enjoy these smaller productions more; they have more character and feel much more intimate. The stage itself is small, a wooden floor with some wooden grates and a bench, but what really fascinated me was the inclusion of a water feature representing a river at the edge of the stage. During the second act, it disappeared, and I kept asking myself whether it had been physically removed or simply covered over with extra wood.
The costumes were something completely different, unlike anything we have seen before. They were entirely black and white, but it works so well. Everything feels connected, and because you know it is based on a true story, you can really feel the pain, which is exactly what makes it work, especially the songs. A particularly breathtaking moment involves Abigail preparing herself for a dance, creating a beautiful dress with different shades of purple.
In the beginning, we meet William (played by Jordan himself), who comes back from his work a week earlier than planned. Arriving just in time for Christmas, he decides to go out for a drink, which is where he meets Richard (played by Daniel Krikler). The two share an immediate, special connection that later turns into love. While the first act is incredibly beautiful, the story takes a dark turn as soon as the second act begins. At first, I struggled a bit to find a connection and stay concentrated during the second act, but about 15 minutes in, I was fully back in the story.
During the performance, we completely fall in love with the mother of the family, played by Rebecca Lock. Her portrayal is so honest and raw; the happiness and sadness go straight into your bones, creating a real emotional connection with the audience. Together with her daughter, Abigail (played by Jess Douglas-Welsh), they try to find a "loophole" in the legal case to set her brother free.
While some characters are left more in the background, they all get their own special moment in the show. For example, Baber, played by Adrian Hansel, completely blew me away with his performance of his solo song at the start of Act Two.
In that period of history, queer people were executed, so you know that this tragic fate is ahead for William and Richard. Even though you don't want it to happen, I found the story a little difficult to follow right at the very end. However, once it was explicitly stated that they had been executed, the ending became clear. It was a beautiful final image, with the cast members lined up on each side of the stage under stunning lighting, as the two main characters finally find a peaceful place for their love together in death.
Redcliffe is playing at the Southwark Playhouse Borough until 4th July. Tickets can be purchased here.
Photos taken by Pamela Raith
