Paddle Your Own Canoe is a new play inspired by the life and career of Harry Clifton, one of the most celebrated music hall stars of the 1860s. Through Clifton’s journey, the play explores the vibrant world of Victorian music hall, introducing audiences to a host of remarkable performers and people of the era.

The production examines both the exhilaration and the hardships of life on the music hall stage, revealing the personal sacrifices made not only by the performers themselves but also by those closest to them. With Harry Clifton having written more than 80 songs during his lifetime, the play is interwoven with live performances of his music, bringing the period vividly to life.

Blending humour with poignancy, Paddle Your Own Canoe is a black comedy that celebrates the energy, creativity, and camaraderie of the performers’ world, while also confronting the darker realities that lay beneath the spotlight.

I first became aware of Harry Clifton while researching my family tree. I discovered possible links suggesting I might be related to him, but after many hours of research it became clear how difficult this was to prove, largely due to missing birth records. Whether or not there is a direct familial connection, I found Clifton’s story utterly fascinating and felt compelled to tell it.

Harry Clifton was a celebrated music hall star in his time, yet he is now largely forgotten, despite his songs continuing to endure. This play uses Clifton as a foundation to explore not only his life and legacy, but also the lives of the women around him — voices that history has often sidelined. I also wanted to focus on other performers who challenged social norms and expectations. One performer I was particularly drawn to was Annie Hindle, a renowned male impersonator who legally married a woman while dressed as a man,

These are the kinds of stories I wanted to bring to the forefront: extraordinary individuals whose lives were bold, complex, and deserving of recognition. While the play is inspired by real events, the historical record can only tell us so much. As a result, I have taken creative licence and made some adjustments to timelines and details in order to craft a clear, engaging, and cohesive theatrical story.