Clean Break pairs playwrights with emerging artists for collaboration project

Clean Break has launched an initiative in which playwrights including Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and Sabrina Mahfouz will collaborate with the theatre company’s members.

The scheme, called 2 Metres Apart, has paired 12 writers with emerging artists from Clean Break’s members’ programme, which is open to women who have experience of the criminal justice system or are at risk of offending.

Over the course of eight weeks, the pairs will meet digitally to share ideas and work creatively. They could choose to write together, to respond individually to a selected provocation or for one artist to write for their partner to perform.

The commissions aim to allow the artists to “explore and experiment” and focus on the process rather than a specific outcome.

Anna Herrmann, Clean Break’s joint artistic director, said: “We are excited to launch 2 Metres Apart and look forward to see what emerges from these partnerships: no defined output, no expectations, just an invitation to connect, find inspiration and see where it leads artistically.

“All the women involved are brilliant and compassionate artists who bring a deep connection with Clean Break’s mission.

“This project feels so special because it responds to what we believe to be a very current need to connect in a world turned upside down, while also advancing our strategic commitment to exploring new forms and centring our members at the heart of our artistic work. We hope that whatever emerges provides our artists with an important moment of growth, connection and hope.”

The 12 pairs include Ayesha Antoine and Yvonne Wickham, Deborah Bruce and Sarah Cowan, Katherine Chandler and Nicole Hall, Vivienne Franzmann and Kathryn O’Reilly, Sonya Hale and Lucy Edkins, and Yasmin Joseph and River.

Lloyd Malcolm and TerriAnn Oudjar, Mahfouz and Posy Sterling, Chloë Moss and Sarah-Jane Dent, Ambreen Razia and Natasha Jean Sparkes, Danusia Samal and Funke Adeleke and Somalia Seaton and Eddy Emenike are also among the commissions.