REVIEW - DETENTION BY GARY CLARKE COMPANY | THE LOWRY | 14/05/2025
- Sarah Monaghan
- May 15
- 3 min read
Following the critical acclaim of COAL and Wasteland, Gary Clarke returns with Detention, the final part of his searing dance theatre trilogy exploring working-class communities in 1980s Britain. Where COAL unearthed the pain of pit closures and Wasteland surveyed the aftermath, Detention dives headfirst into the hidden anguish caused by Section 28 — the controversial 1988 legislation that banned the "promotion of homosexuality" in schools and local authorities. Detention is both a personal reflection and a political statement, blending Clarke’s signature choreographic language with raw testimony and immersive visuals.
Detention unpacks the oppressive weight of Section 28 with a series of emotionally charged vignettes that move through key moments of queer history in Thatcher’s Britain. We witness schoolyard bullying, the pain of coming out in a climate of fear, and the despair of an AIDS diagnosis, all framed by the hateful rhetoric projected across the stage like courtroom evidence. But this is not just a story of silence and suffering — it’s also one of protest, solidarity, and strength. Whether through satirical mock weddings or re-enacted marches like the iconic “Stop the Clause” demonstration in Manchester, Clarke honours a generation who fought back with courage and defiance.
Clarke’s choreography is sharp, symbolic, and devastatingly precise — equal parts anger and elegance. The movement vocabulary is grounded in the physical, yet laced with fragility, especially in moments where dancers perform over voiceovers from the real-life LGBT+ Switchboard helpline. These recorded testimonies (taken from actual logbooks) create a haunting contrast to the furious energy on stage.
Set and costume design by Ryan Dawson Laight is simple yet punchy — all protest banners, denim, leather and slogan tees, transporting us straight into the 80s. The lighting by Joshie Harriette is bold and unforgiving, slicing through the space like the legislation itself, while the music — including tracks from industrial pioneers Test Dept — pulses with urgency and menace. The multimedia elements, particularly El Perry’s film portrayal of Margaret Thatcher, are chillingly effective, anchoring the production firmly in time and tone.
The ensemble of dancers — Gavin Coward, Alexandra Bierlaire, Alex Gosmore, Mayowa Ogunnaike and Imogen Wright — are sensational throughout, delivering performances that bristle with purpose and poignancy. Each solo, duet and ensemble section feels lived-in and fiercely personal.
Lewey Hellewell, as the onstage narrator, offers a grounded presence that guides us through the chaos, heartbreak and resistance with clarity and warmth.
A standout aspect of Detention is the integration of a local community cast – a signature element of Clarke’s work that brings real voices into the spotlight. For this performance, Salford’s LGBT+ community was powerfully represented by Colin Avery, Ryan Callaghan, Claire Dixon, Nicola Jayne Ingram, and Michael Marlow – all LGBTQ+ individuals aged 40+ with lived experience of Section 28. Their quiet yet potent presence added an invaluable layer of authenticity and emotional weight, serving as a poignant reminder that these stories are not only real, but recent – and still resonate deeply today.
Detention is not an easy watch — nor should it be. It’s a visually striking, emotionally raw and unapologetically political piece of dance theatre that demands we remember a dark chapter in British history. Powerful and thought-provoking, it tackles its themes with honesty, heart and creative fire, never shying away from the discomfort and injustice of the past. Through brave storytelling and bold physicality, it challenges audiences to reflect, question and remember. The inclusion of local community members with lived experience of Section 28 adds an invaluable emotional depth, grounding the piece in real lives and real pain. This is a show that stays with you — resonant, relevant, and relentlessly human.
A raw and radical triumph that makes history hit home — Detention slams down like a protest banner and dares you not to look away.
Detention is at The Lowry until Thursday 15th April 2025. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.
If you would like more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the show's official website.
Photo Credit - Joe Armitage
*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.
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