Clean Break

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Clean Break

Clean Break is a theatre company working with women affected by the criminal justice system.

Clean Break is a theatre company with an independent education programme. Both strands of our work are rooted in the belief that theatre changes lives. Clean Break was set up in 1979 by two women prisoners who believed that theatre could bring the hidden stories of imprisoned women to a wider audience. Still the only women’s theatre company of its kind today, Clean Break has remained true to these

roots, continuing to inspire playwrights around the complex theme of women and crime - enlightening and entertaining audiences. Integral to this, is the company’s long-established theatre-based education and training programme enabling women offenders and those at risk of offending to develop personal, social, professional and creative skills leading to education and employment. Behind the scenes, we provide high-quality theatre-based courses, qualifications, training opportunities and specialist support which are critical for the rehabilitation of women offenders in prisons and the community. On the stage, we produce ground-breaking and award-winning plays which dramatise women’s experience of, and relationship to, crime and punishment. Our women-only identity is crucial to our history and rationale, and provides us with the most effective model for representing, understanding and meeting the complex needs of women who offend. The Context

The treatment of women by the criminal justice system is one of the clearest demonstrations that our society is still fundamentally unequal and that women are judged by different standards to men. The causes of crime are inextricably linked to poverty, lack of education, racism and poor mental health. Most women offenders have also experienced male violence and are victims of crime, yet first-time women offenders are twice as likely as men to be sent to prison. Black and minority ethnic women comprise over a quarter of the women’s prison population – over three times that in the general population. Our Vision

Our vision is of a society where women are not criminalised unjustly nor imprisoned unnecessarily. We believe that theatre enables women to challenge their oppression by society in general and by the criminal justice system in particular. Clean Break has thrived since its establishment and this is testimony to the power of theatre and the strength of the company’s work. The women-only building in Kentish Town provides a safe space where transformation and learning become possible. The unique repertory which has been created by playwrights commissioned by Clean Break, and the ongoing relationship between these writers and the company, is something of which we are immensely proud. Clean Break has used theatre to put the issue of women in prison firmly on the cultural map and to reveal the damage caused by the failures of the criminal justice system. Through the theatre we make we continue to raise difficult questions with our growing audience, initiate debate more widely and work towards effecting profound and positive change in the lives of women offenders.

17/06/2026

New play premiering this October! Tickets now on sale 🎟️

Clean Break and Brixton House present Baby, written by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti and directed by Milli Bhatia.

'They name me Baby. Means you’ll never seem old, even when you are. You’ll always bring hope, even when there is none. And you can always pretend you’re wanted, even when you’re not…

Baby’s bright and beautiful. Baby’s trouble. Baby can do things nobody else can and why not? Britain’s got talent, hasn’t it?

Baby’s had it tough and she wants to keep Bliss. That’s all she wants. But something terrible stands in her way.

Now Baby has to solve a problem….and you’re part of her solution. Because you're proper people. You must be, to be reading this. Plus, there’s nobody else she can ask…

Baby is a provocative play about one woman’s desire to survive even though she hasn’t got a chance in hell!

Baby’s coming...'

Book your tickets: bit.ly/CBBaby2026

📷: Christa Holka

04/06/2026

Our courtyard garden has come into bloom, and is the perfect spot for a whole range of events - from networking and team building to children's parties.

Clean Break’s building is a hidden gem in Kentish Town, with studios, a kitchen, dining area, breakout rooms and a beautiful courtyard garden which are all available for hire.

All fees Clean Break receives from hiring out our spaces goes straight back into our vital work, using theatre to change women's lives.

Enquire today at [email protected] and one of our friendly team members will be happy to help.

01/06/2026

It's volunteers week! At Clean Break, we are incredibly lucky to have a cohort of brilliant, dedicated volunteers who are a core part of our community.

From volunteers who cook lunch for our Members, facilitate on our programme and look after our garden (plus much more!); to our Development Committee and Board of Trustees; to Member Volunteers who support with events and productions - volunteering is a vital part of what makes Clean Break so special.

A massive thank you to ALL our volunteers, we can't wait to celebrate with you at our annual Volunteers Week Lunch:

Amelia, Angela (T**i), Audrey, Autumn, Baianna, Briony, Carey, Chantelle, Charlie, Chelsie, Cheyane, Deborah (Debbie), Dolores (Dolly), Elizabeth (Lizzy), Elodie, Emily Jade, Emily Louise, Hannah, Inbal, Izzy, Julia, Kate, Kirstie, Laural, Lucia, Maja, Maria, Marimena, Martha, Matilda, Pia, Rebeca, Rejwana, Rose, Rosie, Sandra M, Sandra S-H, Sarah, Sharlene, Shern, Shivone, Sinead, Sofia S, Sophie H, Sophie Mc, Sukey, Valeria, Victoria (Tory), Yasmina, Yiou (EO), Zarmeeneh, Aseema, Kim, Hester, Pepe, Inka, Claire, Róisín, Sharon, Ro, Josette, Sarah-Jane, Joni, Catriona, Lara, Alison, Rania, Carien, Winsome, Amanda, Naima, Jess, Nola, Elise, Freya, Beth, Sophie F, Heidi, Cat, Sarah J, Gillian.

📷: Member Volunteers Inka (left) and Aseema (right) with Volunteer Manager Samantha (middle)

26/05/2026

Join us for Clean Break’s popular Leading with Kindness training workshop on Thursday 18 June.

Led by Clean Break’s Member Support team, this training is ideal for arts and culture sector professionals looking to build skills, strategies and confidence for working sensitively and safely with trauma. Spaces are filling up quickly, so if you are interested we recommend booking soon.

Book your place: https://www.cleanbreak.org.uk/training/leading-kindness/

19/05/2026

Are you a front-line practitioner, working with women who have experienced the criminal justice system, or are at risk of entering it due to challenges such as mental ill health or substance use issues?

Come along to Clean Break's Information Day and learn about how our unique programme of theatre workshops and wrap-around support could benefit the women you work with.

To sign up, please email [email protected]

08/05/2026

Join us next Friday 15 May for a post-show panel discussion on the urgent topic of the criminalisation of protest, after the final performance of our play The Empty at Tara Theatre.

We are thrilled to be co-hosting the panel with our partners, Garden Court Chambers. Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers and Patron of Clean Break, Sonali Naik KC will be chairing the panel.

Sonali will be joined by experts in protest law Audrey Cherryl Mogan (Garden Court Chambers) and Laura O’Brien (Hodge Jones and Allen) as well as activist and Just Stop Oil supporter, Rosa Hicks.

Book your tickets: https://bit.ly/CBTheEmptyBooking

02/05/2026

We’re still buzzing from She Speaks! Harriet Walter and Friends at Marylebone Theatre last Monday! 🎉

Some of the women who were on stage and in the audience generously shared their thoughts with us after the show 🎥

Next up for Clean Break: The Empty at Tara Theatre 13 - 15 May. Tickets on sale now: https://bit.ly/CBTheEmptyBooking

01/05/2026

Opportunity to join Clean Break's Development Team 📣

Clean Break is looking for a friendly, positive and self-motivated fundraiser, who really understands the unique importance of Clean Break’s work.

The Development Manager post (maternity cover) will work alongside another colleague to raise income from trusts and foundations and is responsible for managing fundraising from individuals.

Find out more and apply: https://www.cleanbreak.org.uk/jobs/development-manager-maternity-cover/

29/04/2026

Two leaders, two very different visions for GenZero...

Myles and Kat are Clean Break Young Company Members, playing two climate activists vying for control of their group in our new play The Empty.

Come and see The Empty at Tara Theatre from 13 to 15 May. All ticket sales support Clean Break’s life changing work.

Book tickets: https://bit.ly/CBTheEmptyBooking

21/04/2026

We are excited to host two post-show panel discussions after performances of The Empty at Tara Theatre next month.

Join us on Thursday 14 May to learn more about the creative process from writer Emma Dennis-Edwards, Director Lakesha Arie-Angelo and members of the cast who are part of Clean Break's Young Company.

On Friday 15 May, we will be co-hosting a panel discussion on the urgent topic of the criminalisation of protest, and how this specifically impacts young people. We are grateful to have Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers and Clean Break Patron, Sonali Naik KC chairing the panel and expert in protest law Audrey Cherryl Mogan joining us.

Book your tickets: https://bit.ly/CBTheEmpty

Address

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+442074828600

Website

http://www.cleanbreak.org.uk/

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