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.
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.
