29 – 30 May
Joe Orton’s fearless comedy WHAT THE BUTLER SAW tours to Bath’s Theatre Royal presented by London Classic Theatre.
A masterclass in fearless comic writing, Joe Orton’s final and most ambitious play focuses his wicked sense of humour on a range of targets, including the establishment, an ex-Prime Minister, cross-dressing, misogyny and the medical profession. Directed by Michael Cabot, the cast features John Dorney, Jack Lord, Holly Smith, Alana Jackson, Jon-Paul Rowden and Alex Cardall.
Doctor Prentice is interviewing a new secretary at his private psychiatric clinic. Geraldine wants the position but seems underqualified and uncertain about her parentage. Mrs Prentice is in urgent need of a drink, following an illicit encounter at the Station Hotel. In the meantime, Doctor Rance, a Government Inspector, and Sergeant Match, a policeman, arrive amidst increasing chaos with searching questions of their own. No institution, political view or tradition is safe as Joe Orton brings together an array of distinctive characters placing them in a series of improbable situations, and explores comic territory few playwrights have dared to visit.
Michael Cabot, the founder and Artistic Director of London Classic Theatre, who has directed all forty-seven LCT productions since their touring debut in 2000, said:
“I’m delighted to be directing What The Butler Saw. I’ve always been a massive admirer of Joe Orton’s work and this play in particular. It’s undeniably a ground-breaking, challenging piece. Orton was firmly into his stride as a playwright and determined to push boundaries. Primarily, it’s a brilliantly constructed farce, but it also explores territory that allows Orton’s wicked sense of humour free reign. No one is safe! The play was first performed at the end of the 1960s, causing something of an outcry, so it will be fascinating to see what audiences make of it in 2024. I’m very excited to be working with an ensemble of terrific actors, most of whom are making their LCT debuts. And our fabulous creative team, Designer Bek Palmer and Lighting Designer Hector Murray, have created a unique visual feast for our audiences.”
John Dorney, who plays the role of Doctor Prentice, has performed at the Theatre Royal with London Classic Theatre previously in Boeing Boeing in 2022 and Absurd Person Singular in 2021. He also toured with LCT in Hysteria, Absent Friends, The Caretaker and Humble Boy. His theatre credits also include Peter Pan at the National Theatre, Seasons Greetings at London’s Union Theatre, Coalition at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Volpone at Wilton’s Music Hall.
Jack Lord plays the role of Doctor Rance. His previous theatre credits include War Horse for the National Theatre on UK tour; A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist and Romeo & Juliet at Leeds Playhouse; Kiss Me Quickstep at the New Vic, Salisbury Playhouse and Oldham Coliseum; The Winter’s Tale for Northern Broadsides on national tour; the UK tour of Rock of Ages, and a host of productions at Manchester’s Royal Exchange. His television credits include Red Rose, Wolfe, Eternal Law, Waterloo Road, The Street, Pierrepoint, Coronation Street, Cold Feet, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and North Square.
Holly Smith, who plays Mrs Prentice, last appeared at the Theatre Royal in Flarepath in 2015. Her theatre credits also include UK tours of The Mirror Crack’d, Shadowlands, Blithe Spirit and Out of Order; The Barchester Chronicles at Chichester Festival Theatre; The Hothouse at Trafalgar Studios and Teechers at Haymarket Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe. The role of Geraldine Barclay is played by Alana Jackson. Her theatre credits include Medea for National Theatre of Scotland and Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Interiors at London’s Barbican Theatre and Living Newspaper at London’s Royal Court Theatre.
Jon-Paul Rowden, who plays Sergeant Match, has previously performed at the Theatre Royal Bath in Crimes on the Coast in 2019. His theatre credits also include Peter Pan at Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum, The Government Inspector at Newcastle Theatre Royal and Twelfth Night on national and international tours. Alex Cardall plays the role of Nicholas Beckett. His theatre credits include The Box of Delights for the RSC; Winnie The Pooh: A New Musical Stage Adaptation at London’s Riverside Studios and on tour; Evita at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; The Wind in the Willows for the Australian Shakespeare Company, and Sweet Charity at Newbury’s Watermill Theatre.
A trail-blazer, whose influence on British theatre is still felt today, Joe Orton was born John Kingsley Orton on January 1st 1933, into a working-class family in Leicester. During a short, dazzling career, he shocked, outraged and delighted audiences with his riotous black comedies. Orton’s first stage play, Entertaining Mr. Sloane (1964) achieved critical and financial success, whilst also attracting criticism for the supposed obscenity of the work. After the production of his next major play, Loot, Orton’s writing was compared to that of literary legends such as Ben Jonson, George Bernard Shaw and Lewis Carroll. Loot was awarded Best Play of 1966 by the Evening Standard. Joe Orton died on August 9, 1967, murdered by Kenneth Halliwell, his companion, collaborator and lover, who then committed suicide.
Joe Orton’s last play, What the Butler Saw, was completed in July 1967 and not staged until 1969, two years after his death. The play premiered in January 1969, touring briefly before transferring to the West End starring Ralph Richardson, Stanley Baxter and Coral Browne. In the years since Orton’s death, critical regard for his plays has continued to grow. Now considered one of the finest playwrights of his era; Orton’s outrageously funny black comedies, which mock religion, sex and death, continue to amuse and delight audiences. London Classic Theatre’s 2024 tour opened in April and runs until July, visiting sixteen venues across the UK.
What The Butler Saw appears at the Theatre Royal Bath on Wednesday 29th May at 7.30pm and Thursday 30th May at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. To book tickets contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit theatreroyal.org.uk
Photo credit: Sheila Burnett
