Gary Clarke Company: Detention review – horror and humour in stand against Section 28

The Place, London The Yorkshire-born dance artist concludes his social historical trilogy on the Thatcher era by celebrating resistance to homophobiaGary Clarke grew up in a Yorkshire mining village in the 1980s and 90s, and the scars left by Margaret Thatcher’s government (and her Tory successors) have informed an impressive dance theatre trilogy that lies somewhere between social history project and cri de coeur. Detention is the final part of the trilogy that began with Coal, looking at the mining industry, followed by Wasteland, about the nascent rave culture that sucked in disaffected youth in the midst of those mines’ closures. Detention focuses on the Section 28 legislation brought in in 1988, forbidding the “promotion” of homosexuality. This is the backdrop against which Clarke, and every other young gay man and woman at that time grew up. We see dehumanising political speeches, the bullying, the self-hatred; the bleakness is tangible.Yet while Detention is about the effects of homophobia, it’s most strikingly a celebration of solidarity. A community cast of older LGBTQ+ people are deftly sewn into the show, some of whom were active in LGSM (Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, as seen in the film Pride). Others play the role of volunteers at the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, a lifeline for many, sitting at a desk with a rotary dial phone: “Hello, Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, how can I help?” We hear text based on genuine calls from the switchboard’s logbook – a young man thrown out of home, a woman scared she’ll lose her children, a man diagnosed with HIV – and watch the dancers’ bodies trapped or in turmoil, eaten up with anxiety.Touring until 15 October Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Christian rock band Newsboys respond to singer Michael Tait sexual assault allegations

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Tony Hadley reflects on ‘bloody difficult’ Spandau Ballet reunion after Gary Kemp feud

Reason Gary Lineker’s final interview with Mohamed Salah was ‘scrapped’ revealed

Dua Lipa, Gary Lineker, and Benedict Cumberbatch join figures urging PM to 'end UK complicity' in Gaza

Gary Lineker forced to improvise as final Match of the Day nearly went wrong

Why is Gary Lineker leaving Match of the Day and who is replacing him?

From presenting in his pants to a pornography prank: Gary Lineker’s finest Match of the Day moments

'It wasn't meant to end this way': Gary Lineker bows out from Match Of The Day

Gary Lineker in high spirits as he arrives for last-ever Match of the Day

Watch: How Gary Lineker's long BBC career came to an abrupt end

Gary Lineker to step down from the BBC after sharing social media post on Zionism

How Gary Lineker went from World Cup golden boot and Match of the Day star to controversial BBC exit

Gary Lineker to leave BBC after social media 'error'

Gary Lineker: A sorry end to a BBC career

Gary Lineker statement in full as BBC confirms presenter’s departure

BBC confirms Gary Lineker will leave earlier than planned after social media controversy

Gary Lineker confirms he’s quit the BBC after ‘error and upset’ over antisemitic post

Gary Lineker's most controversial posts - from Rwanda and Brexit to Gaza

'I recognise the error and upset caused' - Gary Lineker releases statement as BBC departure confirmed

How Gary Lineker went from football sensation to headline-hitting presenter

Gary Lineker ‘to leave the BBC this week’ after antisemitism row

Culture

Christian rock band Newsboys respond to singer Michael Tait sexual assault allegations

Paddy McGuinness reveals his unexpected celebrity crush ‘he wasn’t supposed to have’

How to manage the flurry of text messages on any given day? Texting etiquette explained.

Bruce Springsteen joined by Paul McCartney at Liverpool concert

A Sikh Captain America? Why religious diversity matters in the comics universe

Obama's doc criticizes Biden physician for failing to require cognitive test

Lebanon aims to lure back Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy

EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick suspended by BBC for disabled slur in latest Strictly scandal

EastEnders star suspended over 'unacceptable' language

New action horror movie has critics saying ‘this is what streaming is for’

Tyler Perry’s new Netflix movie lands impressive audience score after dividing critics

Jared Leto denies sexual misconduct after facing accusations from multiple women

Strictly star Nick Knowles, 62, marries Katie Dadzie, 34, in lavish six-figure ceremony

Cynthia Erivo and The Vivienne among ‘LGBT+ changemakers’ in 2025 Pride List

Mormon Wives’ Jessi Ngatikaura breaks silence on Demi rift and split rumours after explosive finale

Trump orders federal government to help bulk up U.S. drone industry

Flights at Reagan National to be stopped for Army parade, fireworks show

New video shows DoorDash driver pulling up next to plane at Chicago O'Hare

Adam Sandler offers Derrick Henry a movie cameo if he rushed for 2,000 years this season

U.K. judge warns of risk to justice after lawyers cited fake AI-generated cases in court

X for the win? Users were glued to the Elon Musk v. President Trump blowup

Medaina Festival transforms Petra into a new frontier for electronic music

Bill Maher compares Musk-Trump feud to Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni legal drama

New Doctor Who rumours have fans worried show is ‘out of ideas’

James Whale makes heartbreaking admission in terminal cancer update

JoJo Siwa offers glimpse inside romantic cottage staycation with Chris Hughes

Dawn French apologises for 'mocking tone' in video about Israel-Hamas conflict

'Wait Wait' for June 7. 2025: With Not My Job guest Jeff Gordon

Why Do Broadway Actors Love to Work Summers at The Muny in St. Louis?

Massive Attack at LIDO Festival: 'a moment of unity and a call to action'

Divisive horror movie full of ‘grotesque monsters’ now streaming on BBC iPlayer

Can an American pope apply U.S.-style fundraising to fix Vatican finances?

Brothers bring boxing back to Fenway after 70 years and hope to revitalize the sport in Boston

David Attenborough's 'Ocean' is a brutal, beautiful wakeup call from the sea

How Hollywood took over Broadway and obliterated box office records

Sarah Jessica Parker was ‘shocked’ by backlash against And Just Like That’s Che Diaz

Dawn French issues apology following backlash to Gaza video

‘Exquisite’ Amazon Prime show cancelled after one series despite 85% Rotten Tomatoes score

Dawn French says sorry for posting 'one-sided' Gaza video

Robbie Williams at the Emirates Stadium review: 'a grand scale This Is Your Life'

Wayne Lewis death: Atlantic Starr singer dies, aged 68

Con Mum true story – how chef Graham Hornigold was scammed by dying ‘mother’

Robbie in London was over the top, bizarre yet also sincere – only he can do that

Sam Fender at the London Stadium: Geordie Springsteen bosses biggest eve gig

Stephen King puts the Trump and Musk feud into perspective with one scathing question

‘Doctor Who’s finale infuriated fans – but the next series will fix everything’

Alan Yentob’s final interview set to air on BBC

Sarah Jessica Parker makes candid comment about awkward And Just Like That scene: ‘None of this is my idea’

Amazon cancels show from Gilmore Girls creator after just one season

I haven’t fallen over on stage yet but if I do I’ll joke about it, says Justin Currie

'My grandmother grew up brushing her teeth with radioactive toothpaste'

Clarkson Farm fans delighted after star shares ‘great’ health news

'They have perfect dark skin': The African nation home to fashion's favourite models

Cosey Fanni Tutti's journey through art, porn and music

A baklava crawl in the Turkish city that's obsessed with the pastry

4 takeaways from Erin Patterson's testimony at her toxic mushroom triple murder trial

'Doctor Who' is about possibility. Ncuti Gatwa's role embodied that