Theatre revival of Orton classic

Buxton Opera House is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Joe Orton’s classic black comedy Entertaining Mr Sloane with a critically acclaimed production by London Classic Theatre.
A scene from Entertaining Mr Sloan. Photo contributed.A scene from Entertaining Mr Sloan. Photo contributed.
A scene from Entertaining Mr Sloan. Photo contributed.

First staged at the Arts Theatre in London in 1964, winning the London Critics Variety Award for Best Play of the Year, Entertaining Mr Sloane offers a unique blend of farce and black comedy which beautifully captures the suppressed desires of the period.

It tells the story of Kath and her elderly father, Kemp, who live in a house on the outskirts of a rubbish dump.

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Their drab existence is interrupted by the arrival of a new lodger, the enigmatic Mr Sloane.

A scene from Entertaining Mr Sloan. Photo contributed.A scene from Entertaining Mr Sloan. Photo contributed.
A scene from Entertaining Mr Sloan. Photo contributed.

Provocative and sexually ambiguous, Sloane soon has both Kath and her brother Ed competing for his favours. But all is not as it seems.

Behind Sloane’s nonchalant demeanour lies a calculating psychopath with a dark and secretive past. Seduction, blackmail and murder lie waiting in the wings.

With 30 critically-acclaimed productions since their touring debut in April 2000, London Classic Theatre have established a reputation for producing bold, imaginative theatre of the highest quality.

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This revival of their 2003 production of the play celebrates the 50th anniversary of Leicester-born Orton’s classic black comedy.

Entertaining Mr Sloane will be performed at Buxton Opera House on Wednesday June 4 at 7.30pm, and Thursday June 5 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets, priced at £12.50, £14.50 and £16.50, are available from the Water Street Box Office on 0845 127 2190 or online at www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk.

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