Main content

Joe Orton

An exploration of the life and legacy of the playwright Joe Orton whose plays, Entertaining Mr Sloane, Loot, and What The Butler Saw, challenged British theatre in the 1960s.

A special edition exploring the life and legacy of the playwright Joe Orton

Leonie Orton, Joe Orton's youngest sister, has written a memoir of her life, I Had It In Me, in which she describes the childhood in Leicester she shared with Joe Orton and how his death led her to question and change her life. She meets Samira at the Pork Pie Library which she and Joe used to regularly visit.

Dr Emma Parker has co-curated two exhibitions inspired by Joe Orton: What the Artist Saw: Art Inspired by the Life and Work of Joe Orton, is on at the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery in Leicester until 22 October and Crimes of Passion: The Story of Joe Orton is on at the National Justice Museum in Nottingham until 1 October

Sally Norman, co-founder and co-director of Soft Touch Arts in Leicester, and her assistant Jenna Forbes, discuss their new community arts exhibition Breaking Boundaries: Joe Orton and Me which is on at Soft Touch Arts until 8 September.

Theatre critic John Lahr, author of the acclaimed Joe Orton biography, Prick Up Your Ears, discusses Orton's skill and significance as a playwright.

The actor Sheila Hancock shares her memories of performing in Joe Orton's first stage play, Entertaining Mr Sloane, during its first Broadway run in 1965.

The artistic director of Curve theatre, Nikolai Foster, talks about his experience of staging Joe Orton's final play, What The Butler Saw, at Curve earlier this year.

Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Ekene Akalawu.

Available now

30 minutes

John Lahr

John Lahr
Samira Ahmed and John Lahr, author of Joe Orton's biography, Prick Up Your Ears.

Leonie Orton

Leonie Orton

Leonie Orton and Samira Ahmed at the Pork Pie Library.Ìý

Leonie Orton’s memoir, I Had It In Me, is available now.

Dr Emma Parker

Dr Emma Parker

Dr Emma Parker with Samira Ahmed.

, is on at the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery in Leicester until 22 October

is on at the National Justice Museum in Nottingham until 1 October

Sally Norman and Jenna Forbes

Sally Norman and Jenna Forbes

Samira Ahmed, Sally Norman, co-founder and co-director of Soft Touch Arts in Leicester, and her assistant Jenna Forbes.

Ìýis on at Soft Touch Arts until 8 September.

Ìý

Sheila Hancock

Sheila Hancock

Samira Ahmed and Sheila Hancock.

Sheila HancockÌýremembers performing in Joe Orton’s first stage play, , during its first Broadway run in 1965.

Ìý

Nikolai Foster

Nikolai Foster

Samira Ahmed and Nikolai Foster.Ìý

The artistic director of Curve theatre, Nikolai Foster, talks aboutÌýstaging Joe Orton's final play, ,Ìýin early 2017.

Credits

Role Contributor
Interviewed Guest Leonie Orton
Interviewed Guest Emma Parker
Interviewed Guest Sally Norman
Interviewed Guest Jenna Forbes
Interviewed Guest John Lahr
Interviewed Guest Sheila Hancock
Interviewed Guest Nikolai Foster
Presenter Samira Ahmed
Producer Ekene Akalawu

Broadcast

  • Fri 11 Aug 2017 19:15

Â鶹Éç Arts Digital

The best of British culture live and on demand.

Inspire

Inspire

A season discovering where artists find inspiration and helping listeners get creative.

Podcast