Clean Break
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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.
Behind the scenes with 📸✨
Shooting the powerful artwork for brand new production Baby, with photographer
Gurpreet Kaur Bhati’s ferocious new play opens next month!
We can’t wait for audiences to finally see this ambitious state of the nation piece. Directed by and co-produced by Clean Break and Brixton House, Baby is a story of survival told by our complicated, fierce and darkly funny protagonist, played by Pearl Mackie.
Tickets on sale now.
27/08/2026
New artwork reveal for Baby! ✨
Take a first look at Pearl Mackie as Baby in Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti's ferocious new play, a co-production with Clean Break and Brixton House.
In this new artwork, photographer Christa Holka Studio puts the play's complicated, fierce and darkly funny protagonist centre stage.
Baby is an ambitious piece that is as intimate as it is epic. Through one woman's story of survival from childhood to motherhood, it reveals the expansive roots of inequality and injustice in the UK.
Tickets on sale now: bit.ly/CBBaby2026
04/08/2026
Announcing Pearl Mackie as the cast of Baby, Clean Break's upcoming co-production with Brixton House.
Pearl is best known for her ground-breaking role as Bill Potts, the Doctor’s companion in Doctor Who (BBC) opposite Peter Capaldi, with television credits also including The Diplomat (Netflix), The Long Call (ITV), and Tom Jones (ITV). Her recent work includes Sylvia Samuels in Lucy Kirkwood’s The Human Body (Donmar Warehouse), Natasha Elcock in the acclaimed Grenfell: In the Words of Survivors (National Theatre) and Ballet Shoes (National Theatre).
Baby is a new play by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti (Behzti), directed by Milli Bhatia (seven methods of killing kylie jenner). A compelling one woman show, Baby shifts perspectives on motherhood within the constraints of the criminal justice system and illuminates the resilience, survival and strength of a mother navigating impossible circumstances.
8 - 31 October 2026
Tickets on sale now: https://bit.ly/CBBaby2026
21/07/2026
Last week Clean Break joined the University of Hertfordshire Lost Mothers project in Parliament to launch their new policy briefing on the release gap for pregnant women and new mothers leaving custody, hosted by Carolyn Harris MP
The briefing comes after significant wins in the campaign to end the imprisonment of pregnant women, and draws on evidence to call for a fully funded national pathway for women ensuring continuity of care and safe release in the community.
Alongside a keynote from Professor Laura Abbott and a rich panel discussion from Birth Companions, Treasures Foundation, One Small Thing and National Women's Justice Coalition, Clean Break presented extracts from our play Scenes from Lost Mothers written by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti. Gurpreet has also written our upcoming play Baby, which continues the conversation on maternal separation and imprisonment, and will premier at Brixton House this October.
Whether you were at the event last week, wanted to be, or are just interested and want to help, the Lost Mothers project have put together a short email template you can use to write to your own MP about this issue. It only takes a couple of minutes.
Email your MP: cleanbreak.org.uk/news/1001-days-pathway/
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)
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