Almeida Theatre revives Sarah Kane’s 'Cleansed' with dance and graphic violence
Rebecca Frecknall’s production divides critics over its stylish execution of the 1998 play’s brutal themes
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The Almeida Theatre in Islington has revived Sarah Kane’s 1998 play 'Cleansed', a work notorious for its graphic violence and exploration of love under extreme duress. Director Rebecca Frecknall’s production, which opened on 15 April 2025, employs interpretive dance, bold symbolism, and an immersive soundscape to depict the play’s harrowing themes. The revival runs until 25 May 2025.
Kane’s play is set in an unspecified secure facility, described by reviewers as a nightmarish university or psychiatric hospital. The narrative follows a group of characters trapped in the facility, subjected to brutal acts by a figure named Tinker, played by Leo Bill. The production does not clarify why the characters are held there, leaving their fate ambiguous.
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Graphic content and stylistic choices
The revival includes scenes of mutilation, rape, and hanging, as well as moments of intense physical violence. Reviewers have noted that Frecknall’s direction leans heavily on visual and auditory effects to convey the play’s bleak atmosphere. A soundscape of relentless knocking and cracking accompanies the action, while Madeleine Girling’s set design creates a claustrophobic environment.
Frecknall uses interpretive dance to fill gaps in Kane’s script. One scene depicts Carl, played by Luke Cinque-White, performing a 'dance of love' among daffodils that appear to grow within the facility. Another moment shows Grace, portrayed by Pearl Chander, engaging in a climactic encounter with the spirit of her dead brother, Graham, played by Jack Riddiford. These sequences are staged with deliberate distance, emphasising the isolation of the characters.
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The production’s stylistic choices have drawn mixed reactions. A review published by *This Is Local London* on 16 April 2025 described the revival as 'visually arresting' and 'a technical exercise in what can be staged'. However, the same review questioned whether the disturbing content was justified, stating, 'I’m not sure it is worth the torture.'
Themes and critical reception
Kane’s play explores themes of love, suffering, and the boundaries of 'good' citizenship. The characters’ relationships are tested through extreme violence, with the play suggesting that love persists even in the most brutal circumstances. Tinker, the antagonist, is portrayed as a hybrid of authoritarian figures, including a concentration camp leader and a doctor, with Leo Bill delivering a performance described as 'dead-eyed' and bureaucratic.
The production’s final moments attempt to offer catharsis, with Tinker declaring love for a sex worker, played by Lizzy Connolly. Reviewers have noted that this moment is difficult to reconcile with the preceding cruelty, leaving audiences to grapple with the play’s unresolved questions.
I’m not sure it is worth the torture.
Reviewer, This Is Local London
What happens next
The Almeida Theatre’s production of 'Cleansed' continues its run in repertory until 25 May 2025. Tickets are available through the theatre’s box office and website. The play is recommended for audiences aged 18 and over due to its graphic content. No further extensions or transfers have been announced by the theatre as of 17 April 2025.
Questions this report answers
+What is the play 'Cleansed' about?
Sarah Kane’s 'Cleansed' explores themes of love, suffering, and 'good' citizenship through graphic violence. Set in a nightmarish facility, it follows characters subjected to brutal acts by a figure named Tinker. The play uses extreme scenarios to test the persistence of love under duress.
+Who is directing the Almeida Theatre’s production of 'Cleansed'?
Rebecca Frecknall is directing the Almeida Theatre’s revival of 'Cleansed'. Her production uses interpretive dance, symbolism, and an immersive soundscape to depict the play’s violent and harrowing themes. The revival opened on 15 April 2025.
+How long is the Almeida Theatre’s production of 'Cleansed' running?
The Almeida Theatre’s production of 'Cleansed' runs until 25 May 2025. Performances are part of the theatre’s repertory season. Tickets are available for audiences aged 18 and over due to the play’s graphic content.
+Why has the Almeida’s 'Cleansed' divided critics?
Critics have praised the production’s visual style and technical execution but questioned whether the disturbing content is justified. A review in *This Is Local London* described it as 'visually arresting' yet asked if it was 'worth the torture' for audiences.
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