An exhibition of our archive, celebrating 40 years of Clean Break.
Since its founding by two women who met in prison in 1979, Clean Break has produced ground-breaking theatre which puts women’s voices at its heart and challenges injustice within and beyond the criminal justice system.
This exhibition celebrates Clean Break's 40-year history as a radical theatre company, documenting its heritage through previously unseen archival material and specially commissioned interviews and installations.
The 40-year retrospective will be co-designed by Miriam Nabarro and Liz Whitbread, a designer and Member of Clean Break. It will take place at Swiss Cottage Gallery in Camden—Clean Break’s home borough since the 1980s.
Alongside the exhibition, we will be launching a digital timeline on our website and an events programme of digital and live activity including a screening of the 1984 Channel 4 production of Clean Break co-founder Jacqueline Holborough’s play, Killers recorded for Channel 4 in 1984 and workshops led by prominent Clean Break artists.
The exhibition and events are made possible by support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts and Humanities Research Council. This funding was received to celebrate Clean Break's 40th anniversary year, to document our heritage by: establishing a publicly accessible archive of our work at the Bishopsgate Institute; conducting oral history interviews; creating a digital timeline and exhibitions to share its story.
Book now for our exhibition events:
Creating Mules: In conversation with playwright Winsome Pinnock and Hibiscus founder, Olga Heaven MBE
Online on Thursday 1 July, 5-6.30pm
BOOK NOW
Killers: Live Stream and Post-Show Discussion with Clean Break founder & playwright,
Jacqueline Holborough
Online on Wednesday 7 July, 6-8pm
Creating from Clean Break’s Archives with Paula Varjack
Online on Monday 19 July, 5:30-7pm
Voices From Prison
BSL interpreted
Online on Wednesday 28 July, 6pm