Redcliffe: Jordan Luke Gage’s Bristol musical heads to the West End
A Bristol love story arrives at the Criterion Theatre
If you walk through Piccadilly Circus on a winter evening, you will know the feeling: the adverts flicker, the crowds spill out of the Tube, and every doorway seems to lead somewhere important. From 28 January, one of those doorways will open onto a new musical. Redcliffe, the award-winning show written and composed by Jordan Luke Gage, moves into the Criterion Theatre for a limited 12-week season. It is a short walk from Whitehall London, so anyone visiting the government quarter or the Parliament end of town could easily add a matinee to their itinerary. The story is set in eighteenth-century England and draws on the true story of William Critchard and Richard Arnold. William, a young man from humble beginnings in Redcliffe, Bristol, meets Richard, a sailor passing through the port, and the two fall in love. As whispers grow and the world around them becomes unforgiving, they must decide how much they are prepared to risk for a life lived honestly. For Londoners who love intimate, character-driven theatre, this is a rare chance to see a homegrown piece that began life in fringe venues before reaching the heart of the West End. It is exactly the kind of production that makes the capital’s theatre scene feel alive.
The people and venues behind the transfer
Redcliffe has travelled a long way to reach the West End, and the journey has involved a number of London’s most respected smaller venues. The show was first presented at the Turbine Theatre as part of MTFestUK 2024, then ran for eight sold-out performances of a workshop at The Other Palace. Its first full production played at Southwark Playhouse Borough this summer, where it was praised by WhatsOnStage as ‘a masterpiece of a musical’ and by the Guardian as ‘charming, funny and devastating’. Those venues matter because they are where new work gets its first real audiences, and their success is part of why this transfer is possible. Jordan returns as William Critchard, a role he has already made his own, and he will be joined by further cast members to be announced soon. Daniel Krikler, who starred alongside him in Borough, is a name to watch. Behind the scenes, Paul Foster directs, Emma Woods choreographs, Andrew Exeter designs the set and lighting, Martin Hanly creates the costumes, and Katy Richardson supervises the music. Jordan’s recent win for Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer at The Stage Debut Awards also signals how seriously the industry is taking his work. For the many performers, technicians and young writers across south London who hope to follow a similar path, a production like this shows that fringe success can carry a show all the way to Shaftesbury Avenue.
What to know before you book
The season is limited, so anyone keen to see Redcliffe should plan early. Performances begin on Thursday 28 January, and the press night is on Thursday 4 February. Early performances often carry a different energy, with a company still settling into a larger space, so if you enjoy watching a show grow, booking the first few weeks could be rewarding. Full ticket information and any concessions are best checked directly with the Criterion Theatre box office or its official website, as prices and availability can shift during a limited run. Because the Criterion sits in the busy heart of town, allow extra time for travel. Piccadilly Circus is well served by the Underground and bus network, and many people choose to walk from nearby stations. If you are visiting from outside the capital, the area also offers plenty of places to eat before or after the show, so it makes a good evening out in its own right. Keep an eye on announcements for the remaining West End cast, which will be released in the coming weeks. For anyone interested in British theatre, this transfer is worth watching closely, as it represents a new voice reaching one of the most visible stages in the country. Whether you are a regular theatregoer or someone looking for a new reason to explore the West End, Redcliffe deserves a place on your list.
Source: Jordan Luke Gage’s REDCLIFFE to transfer to West End
Fans in Bristol who want to see the show can also plan a trip to visit London, where Redcliffe will soon open in the West End.
