A Clockwork Heart | Steampunk Musical

A Clockwork Heart Cast

A Clockwork Heart is a steampunk stage musical about creation, love, autonomy and what it means to be alive. Set in a gaslit, gear driven London, it follows Florence, a reclusive inventor, and Rose, the clockwork woman she creates to heal a broken heart. As Rose awakens to the world, wonder turns to longing and difficult questions of freedom and choice emerge. This podcast shares songs, interviews, behind the scenes insights and, eventually, the complete audio of the show. Tender, dark and hopeful, A Clockwork Heart is a story of queer love, survival and found family.

  1. 16. Change / Medley - Instrumental

    FEB 10

    16. Change / Medley - Instrumental

    Change is the moment Rose finally stands at the centre of her own life. No longer a thing to be hidden, sold, or protected into silence, she claims her future with Florence and Minuet beside her. Each voice carries its own reckoning. Rose embraces freedom on her own terms, Minuet finds worth and belonging after survival, and Florence confronts grief, control, and the courage to let go. Together, they choose healing, honesty, and a life shaped by love rather than fear. The Finale Medley follows as celebration and reflection. Fragments of the journey return. First wonder, temptation, spectacle, danger. From First Adventure to Highest Bidder to Carnevale of Fun, the story comes full circle, recontextualised by everything that has been learned and endured. The final return to Change transforms it into a shared anthem of survival, autonomy, and hope. CHANGE Intro (Rose) I am really here, I am truly whole, My heart’s ticking, I hold the key, To my beating soul. Verse 1 (Rose) I am free, To be me, I’m no longer a toy. I’ll live my own life, Make my own plans, My life is now in my two hands. Verse 2 (Minuet) (Minuet takes Roses hand and sings to her) I was alone, Lost myself, I believed, I wasn’t worth a damn, But you saw the real me, And showed me who I really am! Verse 3 (Florence) (Florence takes Rose’s hand and sings to her) I was selfish, I was wrong, I hid you away, For far too long. I was scared and controlling too, Should have let you be the perfect you Chorus (Rose, Minuet & Florence) Time for us to change, Let’s make this life our own, It’s no longer about the past, This world’s ours at last. Verse 4 (Rose) Life’s hard, It’s unfair, But I wasn’t on my own. With so many lessons, I’ve learned, I came back to you on my own terms. Verse 5 (Minuet) I had nothing, I had no home, You showed me that I can be more. Your kindness reminded me, Of who I was before. Verse 6 (Florence) I let me grief take control, Didn’t truly see your heart and soul. No longer who I used to be, Time to heal and time to be free. Chorus (Rose, Minuet & Florence) Time for us to change, Let’s make this life our own, It’s no longer about the past, This world’s ours at last. Bridge (Rose to the audience) Can you hear my clockwork heart? It ticks because it’s free! The world can be cruel, But we’re not alone, Together we’re strong and we’re home! (Instrumental) Chorus (Rose, Minuet & Florence) Time for us to change, Let’s make this life our own, It’s no longer about the past, This world’s ours at last. Chorus (Rose, Minuet & Florence) [Key Change] All: Time for us to change, All: Let’s make this life our own, Rose: It’s our own, It’s our own! Minuet & Florence: It’s ours at last! MEDLEY First Adventure Into (Rose) The sun rises on a new morning, Wind me up and hear my hear tick, Another day, stuck inside, I just want to feel the sunshine. Highest Bidder (Topper) Come one… Come one! Come all, Don’t be shy my wicked friends, A lady of charms and gears, Wind her up, Have fun for years! (Topper stands to the side) (Madame Adore bows comes and joins everyone) Carnevale of Fun (All) Welcome to, The Carnevale of fun, It’s for you, A place where, Dreams come true… Into the final Bows Change Chorus (All) Time for us to change, Let’s make this life our own, It’s no longer about the past, This world’s ours at last.

    6 min
  2. 16. Change / Medley

    FEB 10

    16. Change / Medley

    Change is the moment Rose finally stands at the centre of her own life. No longer a thing to be hidden, sold, or protected into silence, she claims her future with Florence and Minuet beside her. Each voice carries its own reckoning. Rose embraces freedom on her own terms, Minuet finds worth and belonging after survival, and Florence confronts grief, control, and the courage to let go. Together, they choose healing, honesty, and a life shaped by love rather than fear. The Finale Medley follows as celebration and reflection. Fragments of the journey return. First wonder, temptation, spectacle, danger. From First Adventure to Highest Bidder to Carnevale of Fun, the story comes full circle, recontextualised by everything that has been learned and endured. The final return to Change transforms it into a shared anthem of survival, autonomy, and hope. CHANGE Intro (Rose) I am really here, I am truly whole, My heart’s ticking, I hold the key, To my beating soul. Verse 1 (Rose) I am free, To be me, I’m no longer a toy. I’ll live my own life, Make my own plans, My life is now in my two hands. Verse 2 (Minuet) (Minuet takes Roses hand and sings to her) I was alone, Lost myself, I believed, I wasn’t worth a damn, But you saw the real me, And showed me who I really am! Verse 3 (Florence) (Florence takes Rose’s hand and sings to her) I was selfish, I was wrong, I hid you away, For far too long. I was scared and controlling too, Should have let you be the perfect you Chorus (Rose, Minuet & Florence) Time for us to change, Let’s make this life our own, It’s no longer about the past, This world’s ours at last. Verse 4 (Rose) Life’s hard, It’s unfair, But I wasn’t on my own. With so many lessons, I’ve learned, I came back to you on my own terms. Verse 5 (Minuet) I had nothing, I had no home, You showed me that I can be more. Your kindness reminded me, Of who I was before. Verse 6 (Florence) I let me grief take control, Didn’t truly see your heart and soul. No longer who I used to be, Time to heal and time to be free. Chorus (Rose, Minuet & Florence) Time for us to change, Let’s make this life our own, It’s no longer about the past, This world’s ours at last. Bridge (Rose to the audience) Can you hear my clockwork heart? It ticks because it’s free! The world can be cruel, But we’re not alone, Together we’re strong and we’re home! (Instrumental) Chorus (Rose, Minuet & Florence) Time for us to change, Let’s make this life our own, It’s no longer about the past, This world’s ours at last. Chorus (Rose, Minuet & Florence) [Key Change] All: Time for us to change, All: Let’s make this life our own, Rose: It’s our own, It’s our own! Minuet & Florence: It’s ours at last! MEDLEY First Adventure Into (Rose) The sun rises on a new morning, Wind me up and hear my hear tick, Another day, stuck inside, I just want to feel the sunshine. Highest Bidder (Topper) Come one… Come one! Come all, Don’t be shy my wicked friends, A lady of charms and gears, Wind her up, Have fun for years! (Topper stands to the side) (Madame Adore bows comes and joins everyone) Carnevale of Fun (All) Welcome to, The Carnevale of fun, It’s for you, A place where, Dreams come true… Into the final Bows Change Chorus (All) Time for us to change, Let’s make this life our own, It’s no longer about the past, This world’s ours at last.

    6 min
  3. 15. Home

    FEB 10

    15. Home

    Home is the aching, fragile heart of Clockwork Heart. As Florence and Minuet fight to bring Rose back from the edge, grief, guilt and love collide in a moment where everything hangs by a single ticking beat. Old wounds are opened, hard truths are spoken, and forgiveness arrives too late and yet exactly when it is needed. Tender, desperate and devastating, Home is not about returning to a place, but about finding the courage to let go, to change, and to love without fear. HOME Verse 1 (Florence) You came to life, When I was hollow, A fragile note to hide. I held you too close, Out of grief and fear I hurt you the most. Verse 2 (Minuet) We ran through fire, We crossed the night, She saved me with her tears. She sang me songs of your love, She brought me to your door right here. Chorus (Florence & Minuet) You’re home, you’re found, You’re safe in our arms. No dreams, not a fantasy, Please wake up for me. Verse 3 (Florence) Forgive the fear, That made me blind, Please know I see you now. I hear your ticking heart, I should have given you freedom from the start. Verse 4 (Minuet) The world’s unkind, It pulls and tears, It’s time for us to change. She needs your heart, But it’s time for you to leave your fear behind. Chorus (Florence & Minuet) You’re home, you’re found, You’re safe in our arms. No dreams, not a fantasy, Please wake up for me. (Instrumental) (Rose gently looks up at Florence, her feeble hand stroking Florence’s face) FLORENCE (To Minuet) Help her up… MINUET Stay with us, don’t leave… FLORENCE Rose, I’m sorry, for everything. (pause) She’s opening her eyes… Bridge (Rose) I am barely here, And I’m not whole? My heart still ticks, But my clock is gone, What about my soul? FLORENCE (To Rose, desperate and heart breaking) Rose… Rose! Stay, please stay… MINUET Hold on… We will fix you, don’t fade away, don’t go… Florence immediately begins pacing the workshop. Her panic has not gone; it has only changed shape. She mutters to herself as she paces. She tears through drawers and tools, muttering half-formed thoughts and equations. FLORENCE There must be a way. There must be something… I don’t know! I just don’t know! I can’t save her… It’s happening again, she is dying and it’s all my fault. ROSE (breathless, singing) I am barely here, I need to be whole… If this is my last tick, Florence, please… There’s something you need to know… FLORENCE I’m so sorry Rose… I don’t know what to do… I don’t… ROSE (Cutting Florence off with her final breath) Shhh… Listen to me before I go… Roslyn… It wasn’t your fault. It was never your fault, and you couldn’t have saved her. Topper killed her. You need to forgive… your… self…

    4 min
  4. 14. The Way Things Were (My Own Terms) - Instrumental

    FEB 10

    14. The Way Things Were (My Own Terms) - Instrumental

    THE WAY THINGS WERE (MY OWN TERMS) is a quiet but defiant turning point. As Rose’s clockwork heart begins to fail, memories of love, safety and betrayal surface. Built to be cherished yet kept hidden, she reflects on the life she shared with Florence and the truth that finally drove her to run. Now, with time slipping away, Rose makes a choice. Not to fade gently, not to return to the past, but to live on her own terms. With Minuet by her side, this track captures forgiveness, courage and the fragile hope that change is still possible, even at the very last tick. THE WAY THINGS WERE (MY OWN TERMS) Intro My clockwork heart, Is beyond repair, I’m more than I was, There’s so much more, That I want to know and share. Verse 1 She built me, With her own hands, But she wouldn’t tell me why. She said she’d love me, Until the day she’d die. Verse 2 I loved her, With every tick of my heart, But it was all a lie. And I ran from her, And I never said goodbye. Chorus My clockwork heart, Still misses her. I’m more than I was, And I can’t go, Back to the way things were. Verse 3 We built our life together, In her workshop, We danced all night long. With books and gowns, We’d sing until the day was gone. Verse 4 But she was scared, Of the outside world, And kept me hidden inside. And when she finally told me the truth, I died inside. Chorus My clockwork heart, Might just fade away. Maybe it’s time to say goodbye, Maybe this is my final day? Bridge I should have said goodbye, I need to tell Florence I have forgiven her… Chorus My clockwork heart, Is fading fast, I’m more than I was, And I don’t want, Today to be my last. Chorus My clockwork heart, Still misses her. I’m more than I was, And I won’t go back, To the way things were. Instrumental ROSE (Weakly) I think my time is running short, my heart could stop any time; I don’t even know if she will see us… (Starts to faulter, Minuet catches her) ROSE (Weakly) But I choose to try! I want to live, not just fade away… Come with me? MINUET Always… Just show me the way. ROSE (Getting weaker) And if she won’t help… Then we keep going until my last tick is done. MINUET (Holding Rose close) Until your last tick is done. Outro I don’t know, How much time I have left, But look how much we’ve grown and learned. I don’t know if I’ll make it, Let’s try. We’re going on my terms… (As the song ends, silence returns. Rose has sunk to the bench again, spent. Minuet kneels beside her and gently takes her hands)

    4 min
  5. 14. The Way Things Were (My Own Terms)

    FEB 8

    14. The Way Things Were (My Own Terms)

    THE WAY THINGS WERE (MY OWN TERMS) is a quiet but defiant turning point. As Rose’s clockwork heart begins to fail, memories of love, safety and betrayal surface. Built to be cherished yet kept hidden, she reflects on the life she shared with Florence and the truth that finally drove her to run. Now, with time slipping away, Rose makes a choice. Not to fade gently, not to return to the past, but to live on her own terms. With Minuet by her side, this track captures forgiveness, courage and the fragile hope that change is still possible, even at the very last tick. THE WAY THINGS WERE (MY OWN TERMS) Intro My clockwork heart, Is beyond repair, I’m more than I was, There’s so much more, That I want to know and share. Verse 1 She built me, With her own hands, But she wouldn’t tell me why. She said she’d love me, Until the day she’d die. Verse 2 I loved her, With every tick of my heart, But it was all a lie. And I ran from her, And I never said goodbye. Chorus My clockwork heart, Still misses her. I’m more than I was, And I can’t go, Back to the way things were. Verse 3 We built our life together, In her workshop, We danced all night long. With books and gowns, We’d sing until the day was gone. Verse 4 But she was scared, Of the outside world, And kept me hidden inside. And when she finally told me the truth, I died inside. Chorus My clockwork heart, Might just fade away. Maybe it’s time to say goodbye, Maybe this is my final day? Bridge I should have said goodbye, I need to tell Florence I have forgiven her… Chorus My clockwork heart, Is fading fast, I’m more than I was, And I don’t want, Today to be my last. Chorus My clockwork heart, Still misses her. I’m more than I was, And I won’t go back, To the way things were. Instrumental ROSE (Weakly) I think my time is running short, my heart could stop any time; I don’t even know if she will see us… (Starts to faulter, Minuet catches her) ROSE (Weakly) But I choose to try! I want to live, not just fade away… Come with me? MINUET Always… Just show me the way. ROSE (Getting weaker) And if she won’t help… Then we keep going until my last tick is done. MINUET (Holding Rose close) Until your last tick is done. Outro I don’t know, How much time I have left, But look how much we’ve grown and learned. I don’t know if I’ll make it, Let’s try. We’re going on my terms… (As the song ends, silence returns. Rose has sunk to the bench again, spent. Minuet kneels beside her and gently takes her hands)

    4 min

About

A Clockwork Heart is a steampunk stage musical about creation, love, autonomy and what it means to be alive. Set in a gaslit, gear driven London, it follows Florence, a reclusive inventor, and Rose, the clockwork woman she creates to heal a broken heart. As Rose awakens to the world, wonder turns to longing and difficult questions of freedom and choice emerge. This podcast shares songs, interviews, behind the scenes insights and, eventually, the complete audio of the show. Tender, dark and hopeful, A Clockwork Heart is a story of queer love, survival and found family.