Coming Clean (play)


Coming Clean is an award-winning play by Kevin Elyot. The play premiered in 1982 and was Elyot's first professionally produced play.

Background

Kevin Elyot had been acting in productions at the Bush Theatre since 1976. One of the theatre's artistic directors, Simon Stokes, suggested he write a play. Elyot presented the theatre a play titled Cosy which was renamed Coming Clean and produced at the theatre in November 1982.

Synopsis

The play is set in 1982 in Kentish Town. It follows Tony, a struggling writer and his partner Greg. The couple engage in one night stands as long as they don’t impact their relationship. The couple engage a new cleaner, Robert to clean the flat. Greg begins an affair with Robert and this challenges the couple’s relationship and differing attitudes to love.

Production History

It was performed from 3 November 1982 at the Bush Theatre in London with a cast which included Eamon Boland, Clive Mantle, C.J. Allen, Ian McCurrach and Philip Donaghy.
The play was revived at the King's Head Theatre in July 2017. The production was directed by Adam Spreadbury-Maher. The same production ran at Trafalgar Studios from 12 January to 2 February 2019. The cast included Lee Knight in the lead role of Tony, Stanton Cambridge, Elliot Hadley and Tom Lambert. It is scheduled to return for a limited run in January 2020.

Awards

Coming Clean won the Samuel Beckett Award.