“The dancing is full of dynamism and urgency, sweeping us through the scenes. DETENTION is hard-hitting but laced with humour. It’s a portrait of a particular period in time that still echoes down the decades. ”
“Detention is translating history into words, words into emotion, emotion into movement, and movement into what it means to be human. Lewey Hellewell is amongst the most gifted orators I’ve ever had the pleasure of witnessing. ”
“Superbly performed by five dancers and five community recruits from the LGBT+ community…. It’s a hard hitting, emotional work”
“Clarke is good at bold gestures - the opening image of his 10 performers holding hands in “one big family” suddenly transforming into a protest line under fire is powerful.”
“This show is a must see for any young queer activist needing to brush up on their community’s history, and for the general public as a reminder of what we have had to fight through and are still dealing with the aftermath of to this day.”
“Everything about Detention works. Clarke’s choreography is outstanding, inventive and fresh. The five dancers, Gavin Coward, Alexandra Bierlaire, Alex Gosmore, Mayowa Ogunnaike and Imogen Wright are superb, not only technically accomplished but emotionally invested, completely engaging and believable. The narrator, Lewey Hellwell, strikes just the right note between pathos and direct storytelling. Since its founding in 2016, Gary Clarke and his company has won many accolades and awards. Detention will surely win many more. It’s definitely worth going out of your way to catch a performance. ”
“This isn’t just dance - it’s a visceral blend of movement and physical theatre that punches you in the gut and leaves you breathless. The choreography is electric, furious, funny, and full of fight. Detention is unflinching, political, and beautifully raw - physical dance at its most powerful, telling stories we mustn’t forget. ”
“True to Gary Clarke’s style, the production’s pace is relentless, with a carefully curated soundtrack and projections that hurl homophobic slurs and legislative jargon to visceral effect. DETENTION confronts prejudice with power, precision and stunning poignancy. It’s a bold and unflinching production like no other! A bold and unflinching production like no other ”
“Inspired, blown away and moved are just a handful of the emotions I am left with after watching Gary Clarke Company’s Detention.”
“It’s painful to watch at so many moments. But that’s what makes it so genuinely good. From amusing reenactments of Thatcher’s gay-threat warnings to savage depictions of school bullying, the piece takes us on a stirring journey of art and advocacy — holding a mirror into our present.”
“Detention is both a personal reflection and a political statement, blending Clarke’s signature choreographic language with raw testimony and immersive visuals. Clarke’s choreography is sharp, symbolic, and devastatingly precise - equal parts anger and elegance. ”
“Detention is a stunning, powerful, moving, inspiring and magnificent work.”
“Strong, vivid, vigorously kinetic historical - political - UK collage, but so relevant in terms of global LGBTQ+ rights and continuing injustice ”
