Powerful and impactful, DETENTION is a new work by Gary Clarke Company that examines Section 28. The show follows on from the award-winning COAL and the critically acclaimed WASTELAND.
Section 28 was legislation introduced by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Government in 1988 that prohibited the promotion of homosexuality. This law had a devastating impact on the lives of many individuals. It forced members of our community into secrecy, fear, and shame, particularly during a time when we were facing the devastating effects of the AIDS crisis.
Gary Clark talks about DETENTION
“What unites these three works is 1980s Britain, and how different marginalised communities fought for their humanrights, their livelihoods and their existence.
Born in 1980 in a working-class pit village, as a young gay man, I spent all of my childhood, teenage years and early adult life living under Section 28.
Today, I am out and proud, yet I am left picking up the pieces, trying to make sense of what happened and what the lasting impact is on those of us who experienced it.
Whilst I understand we have made good progress, DETENTION is my attempt at honouring the past and acknowledging an important benchmark in LGBT+ history that shaped our resilient and courageous community.”
Gary Clarke’s trademark is powerful and personal working-class storytelling. Once again, Gary draws on the public and private stories and testimonies of those communities affected, including a rare insight into the LGBT+ Switchboard Logbooks for DETENTION.
On stage, DETENTION brings together Clarke’s vivid and theatrical physical dance language performed by a company of exceptional professional dancers, an evocative narrator /actor, and five members of the LGBT+ community, selected locally for every venue aged 40+ and directly affected by Section 28; a total of 45 LGBT+ people were cast across the 2025 national tour to nine venues.
Where can I see DETENTION?
The 2025 tour visits Nottingham Playhouse (8 & 9 May), The Lowry in Salford (14 & 15 May) Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield (21 & 22 May), The Place in London (3 – 7 June), Northern Stage in Newcastle (16 & 17 Sep), Oxford Playhouse (26 & 27 Sep), Cast in Doncaster (30 Sep & 1 Oct), The Grand in Blackpool (8 & 9 Oct), and Corn Exchange in Brighton (14 & 15 Oct).
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