''Coming Clean'' is a 1982 British play by

Kevin Elyot Kevin Elyot (18 July 1951 – 7 June 2014) was a British playwright, screenwriter and actor. His most notable works include the play '' My Night with Reg'' (1994) and the film '' Clapham Junction'' (2007). His stage work has been performed by l ...

. The play premiered in 1982 and was Elyot's first professionally produced play.

Background

had been acting in productions at the

Bush Theatre The Bush Theatre is located in the Passmore Edwards Public Library, Shepherd's Bush, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. It was established in 1972 as a showcase for the work of new writers. Artistic Directors * Brian McDermott ...

since 1976. One of the theatre's artistic directors, Simon Stokes, suggested he write a play. Elyot presented to the theatre a play titled ''Cosy'' which was renamed ''Coming Clean'' and was subsequently 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, exposing differing attitudes to love.

Production history

It was performed from 3 November 1982 at the

in London with a cast which included Eamon Boland,

Clive Mantle Clive Andrew Mantle (born 3 June 1957) is an English actor. He played general surgeon Mike Barratt in the BBC hospital drama series ''Casualty'' and ''Holby City'' in the 1990s, and Little John in the 1980s fantasy series ''Robin of Sherwood'' ...

, C.J. Allen, Ian McCurrach and Philip Donaghy. The play was revived at the

King's Head Theatre The King's Head Theatre, founded in 1970 by Dan Crawford, is an off-West End venue in London. The original venue was the oldest operating pub theatre in the UK. In 2024, the pub theatre, and the King's Head Theatre now operates from a purpose-b ...

in July 2017 with Lee Knight playing the lead role of Tony to huge critical acclaim. The production was directed by

Adam Spreadbury-Maher Adam Spreadbury-Maher is an Australian/Irish theatre artistic director, producer and writer. He is the founding artistic director of the Cock Tavern Theatre, OperaUpClose and The Hope Theatre, and was artistic director of the Kings Hesd until ...

. The same production transferred to the West End at the

Trafalgar Studios Trafalgar Theatre is a West End theatre in Whitehall, near Trafalgar Square, in the City of Westminster, London. The Grade II listed building was built in 1930 with interiors in the Art Deco style as the Whitehall Theatre; it regularly staged ...

from 12 January to 2 February 2019. Lee Knight returned to the role alongside Stanton Cambridge, Elliot Hadley and Tom Lambert. It returned return for a limited run in January 2020.

Awards

''Coming Clean'' won the Samuel Beckett Award.

References

British plays 1982 plays {{1980s-play-stub West End plays 1980s debut plays LGBTQ-related plays