The Clean House

Winner of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, Sarah Ruhl’s The Clean House is a sparkling and startling comedy-drama about life, death, class, and the power of jokes. Mathilde, a Brazilian housekeeper, can’t manage to fake enthusiasm for her domestic duties – her employers’ houses are as disorderly as their personal lives. While Mathilde sets out in pursuit of the perfect joke, she ignores household dirt and instead becomes swept away by family affairs of the heart. A life-affirming story that explores the humor and sadness of one household, The Clean House has been lauded for reminding audiences of the unexpected beauty in life.