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Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
THE Hampstead run of Joe Orton's farce, What the Butler
Saw ends on August 20, 2005. It will subsequently reopen
in the West End's Criterion Theatre on August 24, for a limited
eight week season - until October 22, 2005.
It follows The Gruffalo
which ends on August 21 and will, in turn, be followed by Otherwise
Engaged which opens on October 31, 2005 and is initially
booking to January 28, 2006.
Previously Posted: Director David Grindley's
revival of Joe Orton's farce, What the Butler Saw,
opens at Hampstead Theatre on July 19, 2005 (previews from July
14) - until August 20, 2005.
What the Butler Saw was Orton's last play and was first
produced in 1969, two years after he was murdered (at the age
of 34) by his lover, Kenneth Halliwell who subsequently committed
suicide.
Considered by many to be his funniest, What the Butler Saw
centres upon sex-obsessed psychiatrist, Dr Prentice, whose
attempts to seduce his secretary are frustrated by the arrival
of his nymphomaniac wife, an over-enthusiastic inspector and a
dim-witted policeman.
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Orton's other completed plays include
Entertaining Mr Sloane and Loot.
Although undoubtedly a modern classic, What the Butler Saw
is an unusual choice for the Hampstead - a theatre dedicated
to new writing - and follows Grindley's 2002 production of Mike
Leigh's Abigail's Party.
This was, in fact, the final production in the theatre's original
building and marked the 25th anniversary of the play, which premiered
there in 1977.
Grindley's other successes include the revival of RC Sheriff's
First World War drama, Journey's
End which is scheduled to return to the New Ambassadors
theatre in September - its fourth West End venue; the Old Vic's
production of National
Anthems; and Neil LaBute's Some
Girl(s) which is currently playing at the Gielgud.
Casting has not yet been announced for What the Butler Saw
which is preceeded, from June 20 to July 9 (previews from June
16), by the London premiere of Helen Cooper's Three Women
and a Piano.
After ten long years, Ella has completed her piano concerto but
she needs the help of Liz and Beth, in order to get it performed.
There are, however, old scores to settle first.
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