What the Butler Saw is Joe Orton's final, most ambitious play, manic farce and a masterclass in fearless comic writing.
No institution, political view or tradition is safe, as Orton 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. Orton brings together an array of distinctive characters, placing them in a series of improbable situations, unflinchingly exploring comic territory few playwrights before or since have dared to visit.
Within the pristine walls of his private psychiatric clinic, Doctor Prentice is interviewing a new secretary. Geraldine wants the position but seems underqualified and uncertain about her parentage. Mrs Prentice appears, flushed and in urgent need of a drink, following an illicit encounter with Nick Beckett, blackmailer and bell boy 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.
John Kingsley (Joe) Orton, playwright, author and diarist was born in Leicester in 1933. During a short, but dazzling career in the London theatre world, he shocked, outraged, and delighted audiences with his riotous black comedies, including Loot, The Erpingham Camp, The Ruffian on the Stair and Entertaining Mr Sloane. Joe Orton was battered to death by his lover, Kenneth Halliwell, in 1967.
Sorry, this event has passed
Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
---|---|
Tickets From | £16.50 per ticket |
For more information please visit:https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/what-the-butler-saw
At Blackpool's Grade II Grand Theatre, Lancashire's premier touring theatre and arts…
Blackpool's most magical attraction, The Hole in Wand Wizard Golf.
Prepare to be astounded by our amazing venue providing award-winning service, a wonderful…
Showtown is Blackpool’s brand new, side-tickling, eye-popping, toe-tapping, mind-boggling…
Experience The Blackpool Tower Circus, a unique setting for a unique show. Each season…
Escape the noose before time runs out.
Head into the eerie world of The Blackpool…
Take a trip through 1,000 years of Lancashire’s gruesome and funny history and experience…
Located inside the Winter Gardens Blackpool, The Old Victoria is a traditional British…
The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is a sight to behold. Breath taking in its splendour, daily…
One of the UK’s biggest theatres, the Winter Gardens Opera House, has seen a cast of…
There’s nothing quite like a day at the seaside, and Blackpool is one of the best beach…
Travel back in time and roar like a Dinosaur at The Blackpool Tower's Dino Mini Golf…
The Blackpool Tower Eye offers the best views across the North West of England from the…
There are plenty of experiences on offer at The Blackpool Tower to ensure you have an…
There’s nothing like the British sense of humour, and a visit to the Carpet is a bit like…
Get a different view of Blackpool on safe, cycle-friendly routes along almost 20 miles of…
Recently Viewed
Show / Display
Outrageous, hilarious and over the top. Laugh until your sides ache at the number one rated…
Food & Drink Event
A major new history of architecture in Britain and Ireland that looks at buildings and their…
Inn
The Royal at Heysham is a 16th-century inn at the heart of a small coastal fishing village,…
Food/Drink Producer
The Kirkham family have been making traditional farmhouse Lancashire cheese for the past 25 years.…