Cleansed at Almeida Theatre Review

Theatre should push boundaries, make you feel, and make you think about life - and your place within it. Although Cleansed has every content warning under the sun - it is a perfect example of the sort of theatre which pushes boundaries, expectations, practical realities and makes the audience feel as if they are witnessing something truly rare. 

I saw Cleansed whilst it was in its last few days of previews and had already seen a media storm of warnings about the show. Although a fan of Sarah Kane, I had never read the play (which some audiences may appreciate doing beforehand so are familiar with the details of the content warnings - or check them out via the Almeida website). I went into the theatre, phone sticker over my lens, with the same anticipation you get before going into a scare maze at Halloween. My personal reaction to these sorts of adrenaline rush activities tends to be to throw myself headfirst with a smile on my face - and as grim as Cleansed got - my smile never left. 

From a practical angle Cleansed is a feat of design and execution. The set (designed by Madeleine Girling) cleverly hiding a corridor where blood packs and props could be hidden from the audience whilst never reducing the playing space. Some of the more complex moments, including torture, sexual assault, and suicide, were very cleverly managed - with a preference always on the physical theatre as opposed to making the moment as viscerally realistic as possible. Although these moments were still shocking, harrowing, and visceral - there was a sense of the theatrical abridge to a horror maze which kept the audience safe in the knowledge that this was not really happening to real people. 

Every actor brings their all to this play - and really, how can they not?! This play demands a commitment rarely seen so intensely on stage and each actor throws themselves in full throttle. A special mention must go to movement team (Intimacy Director – Ingrid Mackinnon. Fight Director – Sam Lyon-Behan) who’s vision alongside veteran director, Rebecca Frecknall, kept the play complimenting Kane. Never detracting from the text - rather doing everything to support it and give space for the audience to contemplate what they have just seen - and more importantly - why they have just seen it. 

The cast consists of seven actors. Leo Bill hypnotic as the creepy, powerful, and disturbing Tinker. Pearl Chanda the powerhouse who takes on Grace with depth and emotional complexity. Jack Riddiford who plays Graham, Grace’s twin, perfectly in sync with Chanda and displaying a palpable vulnerability. Luke Cinque-White, a trained ballet dancer, who’s excellent physical work brings a tragic beauty to Carl. Parth Thakerar staying grounded and bringing reality and needed humour to Rod. Playing Robin is Stuart Thompson, who flawlessly finds the characters vulnerability, making the audience relieved to feel something other than horror. And finally, Lizzy Connolly who depicts the sensual vision of Woman which brings a new breath of life into the show. 

The play itself transcends time and politics and draws on the universal theme of love, and how far we, as humanity, are willing to go for it. Although complex, and not always completely clear, that is Kane’s superpower – to create discussions. There is no way you can watch this play and comfortably begin your journey home in silence, satisfied with your viewing for the evening. You will come out with questions, opinions, and personal tastes – and that is the beauty of a show like Cleansed. There is so much to unpack thematically, but this production does a wonderful job of keeping everything as clear and visually beautiful as possible – even if you’re not sure what is happening, or why – you will be stunned witnessing it. 

If you know what you’re in for with Sarah Kane and Cleansed this show isn’t as shocking as some social media posts have made out. I counted two walk outs mid show on the particular evening I was watching – and if you haven’t made yourself pre aware of the content warnings then I can see why someone may feel overwhelmed and ambushed by the show. However, I am under the rare opinion that the production could have gone even further had they wanted to. I was wide eyed and sometimes my jaw was to the floor with an almost voyeuristic excitement throughout Cleansed. It is a rare show to be produced, let alone executed with such depth and flair by the cast and crew. It must be seen to be understood – and even then, you’ll need a debrief afterwards to unpack the possibilities within… that being the genius of Kane, Cleansed, and this particular production.  

Cleansed runs 1 hour 40 minutes straight through and is playing at The Almeida Theatre until August 29th 2026. 

★★★★

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Reviewed by Eloise, August 2026.

Please note, this play includes: Torture, murder and violence, including sexual violence. Depictions of sex and nudity. Drug abuse. Depictions of suicide. Homophobic language. Misogynistic language. Blood. Blackouts, flashing lights, latex, and loud, sudden noises. (You can read more about the content warnings in detail here.)