It was first produced in london at the new arts theatre on 6 may 1964 and transferred to. Despite its success in performance, and being hailed by sir terence rattigan as the best first play hed seen in thirty odd years, it was not until the london production of loot in 1966 less than a year before joe orton s untimely death that theatre audiences and critics began to more fully appreciate the originality of orton s elegant. He was murdered by his lover, kenneth halliwell, in their home at 25 noel road, islington, london. Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this entertaining mr. When it first appeared in the swinging sixties, ortons satire on social and sexual hypocrisy both scandalized and delighted. Sloane, is a class conscious satire with classic ingredients. Perhaps the best moment of the film is the one in which his name on the opening credits is superimposed over a gravestone, as this film does indeed conspire to bury him. He had completed entertaining mr sloane by the time ruffian was broadcast. Kaths livein father, hard of hearing and slowing in memory, recognises sloane from. Entertaining mr sloane project gutenberg selfpublishing.
They completely respect joe ortons injunction that his characters should be played straight. Entertaining mr sloane, a first play by joe orton, has had a trial at the arts theatre and now offers a trial for larger audiences at wyndhams theatre. The first tv presentation of the play appeared as a playhouse presentation on monday 15 july 1968 almost a year after orton was bludgeoned to death by his partner. Fresh from similarly scandalous adaptation the killing of sister george, reid brings something to the film that is all her own. Published fifty years after the premiere of entertaining mr sloane in 1964, and with a new introduction, this anniversary edition offers an opportunity to reappraise joe orton s reputation, and the status of his first major play, from a twentyfirst century perspective.
All extracts of the film of entertaining mr sloane have been removed and the beatles day in the life over the end credits has been muted. Movie trailer for joe ortons entertaining mr sloane. Sloane by joe orton opened at the lyceum theater in new york on october 12, 1965 and ran for performances. Entertaining mr sloane is a hilarious and deliciously black comedy, based on joe ortons sharp, witty and controversial play of the same name. Kaths livein father, hard of hearing and slowing in memory, recognises sloane from the past and identifies him as the murderer of his old boss. As a piece of film making, entertaining mr sloane is a mess. If you havent discovered joe orton yet, i encourage you to dive in, head first. Entertaining mr sloane wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. The film will screen only once, tuesday night at the quad cinema. Sloane act 1 1964 23 copy quote people think i write fantasy, but i dont. Sloane by joe orton dark comedy, with incredible finale this is an interesting comedy play that descends into a weird mayhem. It was first presented in london at the new arts theatre on 6 may 1964 by michael codron ltd and at wyndhams theatre on 29 june 1964 by michael codron and albery plot. Entertaining mr sloane is my favourite play of his, and the film version starring beryl reid, harry andrews and peter mcenery captures its anarchic irreverence perfectly. John kingsley orton, 1st january 1933, leicester d.
It was first produced in london at the new arts theatre on 6 may 1964 and transferred to the west ends wyndhams theatre on 29 june 1964. Sloane ist ein schauspiel in drei akten des britischen dramatikers joe orton. Based on the play by joe orton, this film follows the adventures of two pals who have pulled off a bank robbery and have to hide the loot. Entertaining mr sloane is a play by the english playwright joe orton. Just how much of a ribtickler is a joe orton adaptation supposed to be.
Known for his anarchic black comedies and sexually frank diary, orton is a major postwar dramatist and a gay icon. The screenplay by clive exton is based on the 1964 play of the same title by joe orton. But its a treasure too a record of the two best performances in a joe orton piece ever given on screen. It has type characters, no more than an inch thick. Mar 16, 2006 its less welcome effect is to let much of the air out of joe ortons subversive 1964 comedy after a promising first act buoyed by wicked wit and brio. Despite its success in performance, and being hailed by sir terence rattigan as the best first play hed seen in thirty odd years, it was not until the london production of loot in 1966 less than a year before joe ortons untimely death that theatre audiences and critics began to more fully appreciate the originality of ortons elegant. It premiered at the new arts theatre in westminster 6 may 1964, produced by michael codron. The film of entertaining mr sloane gets the style and tone right but the.
Entertaining mr sloane is a threeact play written in 1963 by the english playwright joe orton. He sent a copy to theatre agent peggy ramsay in december 1963. Entertaining mr sloane, a first play by joe orton, has had a trial at the arts theatre. Extract from entertaining mr sloane showing ortons edits entertaining mr sloane. Sloane, a handsome, sexy and completely amoral young man, joins kaths household as a lodger and proceeds to manipulate her and her brother, ed. This is my favorite british film comedy of the 70s, based on the stage play by joe orton, a queer enfant terrible who was so ahead of his time that the beatles commissioned a screenplay from him. As orton was born in leicester and the university holds the joe orton archive, the school of english is hosting a day of screenings, talks and readings to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his first play, entertaining mr sloane. Sloane 1964, what the butler saw 1969, and loot 1967. Entertaining mr sloane 1969, directed by douglas hickox. Perhaps the best moment of the film is the one in which his name on the opening credits is superimposed over a gravestone, as this film. Sloane was joe ortons first fulllength play and it initiated a meteoric, threeyear career that established him as one of the most significant writers of stage farce in the twentieth century. Sloane were both released in 1970, three years after orton was killed in a horrific murdersuicide by his lover kenneth halliwell.
It was dark blackly dark, and funny as hell, and full of the most joyous and brilliant language. Beryl reid, harry andrews, peter mcenery, alan webb, douglas hickox. Sloane study guide and get instant access to the following. Kath beryl reid is a bored, middle aged woman living.
Sloane opens with kath showing her prospective new boarder, mr. Entertaining mr sloane is a 1970 british black comedy film directed by douglas hickox. One day she encounters the handsome and sexy sloane peter mcenery languidly sunbathing on a tombstone in the cemetery near her home. Its less welcome effect is to let much of the air out of joe ortons subversive 1964 comedy after a promising first act buoyed by wicked wit and brio. The film of entertaining mr sloane gets the style and tone right but the rhythms are sometimes a little off. Joe orton 19331967 was one of the most original and important playwrights of the postwar period. Entertaining mr sloane, a play by joe orton, was first presented in london at the new arts theatre on 6 may 1964.
The joe orton play was the basis for the screenplay by clive exton for the movie version. Entertaining mr sloane wikimili, the free encyclopedia wikimi. The original broadway production of entertaining mr. Entertaining mr sloane, stylish pop art pair of the joe. This project, led by dr emma parker, marks the 50th anniversary of the premiere of ortons three major plays entertaining mr sloane 2014. Take the homosexual aspect, which seems to have escaped others, when the play was initially staged. Despite its success in performance, and being hailed by sir terence rattigan as the best first play hed seen in thirty odd years, it was not until the london production of loot in 1966 less than a year before joe ortons untimely death that theatre audiences and critics began to more fully appreciate the originality of ortons. The play opens with mr sloane, who is looking for accommodation from the middleaged kath katthy. Sloane is a misfire, all in all, although worth catching for the great performances and whats left of ortons sparkling dialogue. With beryl reid, harry andrews, peter mcenery, alan webb.
J oe orton 19331967 was a leicesterborn playwright whose life and work helped to define 1960s british culture. This was the second adaptation of the play, the first having been developed for british television and broadcast by itv on 15 july 1968. Mr sloane is a young man looking for a place to board, who happens by the home of kath, a middle. My favorite theater makers were beckett and pinter. Jun 30, 2014 entertaining mr sloane, a first play by joe orton, has had a trial at the arts theatre and now offers a trial for larger audiences at wyndhams theatre. Joe ortons fourhander about a sister and brother nympho and queer respectively vying for the favours of a desirable stud under the eyes of their ancient da. Mar 18, 2019 john cameron mitchell will host a rare screening of the joe orton 1970 cult classic entertaining mr. He is recognized by kemp dadda as the murderer of kemps former employer, whereupon sloane murders kemp. Joe orton was a noted british author, screenwriter, and playwright who is best known for the plays entertaining mr. This black comedy is based on a work by joe orton, the tabootweaking british playwright who delighted in loading his dialogue with satirical. John cameron mitchell will host a rare screening of the joe orton 1970 cult classic entertaining mr. The first tv presentation of the play appeared as a playhouse presentation on monday 15 july 1968 almost a year after orton was bludgeoned to death by his partner the play opens with mr sloane clive francis, looking for accommodation. Sloane is a film directed by douglas hickox with peter mcenery, beryl reid, harry andrews, alan webb, year.
When it first appeared in the swinging sixties, orton s satire on social and sexual hypocrisy both scandalized and delighted. Sloane by joe orton tells the story of a teen boy who takes up lodgings with the sex starved kath and her elderly father after a chance meeting at the library. It was first presented in london at the new arts theatre on 6 may 1964 by michael codron ltd and at wyndhams theatre on 29 june 1964 by michael codron and albery. Orton revelled in his achievement and poured out new works. Kath beryl reid is a bored, middle aged woman living in the suburbs with her aging father kemp alan webb. Published fifty years after the premiere of entertaining mr sloane in 1964, and with a new introduction, this anniversary edition offers an opportunity to reappraise joe ortons reputation, and the status of his first major play, from a twentyfirst century perspective. Having the house in the middle of a cemetery instead of a garbage dump i think is a mistake because it takes away a point orton wanted to make with his dialogue. A screening of entertaining mr sloane starring sheila hancock, introduced by emma parker. Joe oton is a favorite, says the creator and star of hedwig and the angry inch. One of ortons more unusual talents was the ability to sustain such plots all the way to a tight conclusion, and entertaining mr sloane is a splendid example of that. Oct 15, 2016 all extracts of the film of entertaining mr sloane have been removed and the beatles day in the life over the end credits has been muted. Sloane weasels his way into the lives of a middleaged brother and sister, while trying to disguise the truth about his unpleasant past. Extract from entertaining mr sloane showing orton s edits entertaining mr sloane. Joe ortons entertaining mr sloane university of leicester.