Einstein's Dreams
What the Butler Saw
By Joe Orton
Directed by Katrina Stevenson
Extended! Jan. 7 – 29, 2010
Thu. – Sat. 8pm, Sun. 4pm; extension days: Wed. – Fri. 8pm.
Tickets: $24.50
Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center for the Performing Arts
A swingin’ 60’s British sex farce
“Hilarious, outrageous ... toying with words as if they were firecrackers … the ending is a delight that Oscar Wilde might have dreamed up in a sequel to The Importance of Being Earnest.” – New York Times
When high-strung psychiatrist Dr. Prentice tries to seduce an innocent secretary on her first job interview, his botched efforts leads to comic bedlam involving his nymphomaniac wife, a randy bellhop, a befuddled police officer, an insane asylum inspector and ultimately, the formidable manhood of Sir Winston Churchill.
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It is as outrageous as it is entertaining, and its unrestrained depiction of a world gone mad displays Orton’s talent at its subversive best. Wild, risqué, and ferociously playful, Orton’s uproarious farce is one of the seminal works of modern comedy.
The premiere of What the Butler Saw, Joe Orton's final (and arguably finest) play, produced almost two years after his death at the hands of his lover, sent shockwaves through London audiences, who were scandalized by its lewd humor and madcap energy, but who still could not deny his work anything other than drop-dead funny.
Intended for mature audiences, What the Butler Saw features rampant cross-dressing, undressing, scathing commentary on psychiatry, marriage, sexuality and government, but no actual butler. The title refers to a coin-operated machine that was used to display pornography.
About the Artists
British playwright Joe Orton was one of a generation of new playwrights who came to prominence in the 1950s and 60s by challenging existing norms and exploring new theatrical structures, which placed an emphasis on the darker elements of society. Written in 1967, What the Butler Saw utilizes farce to examine perceived ills of society. Ironically, the abolishment of theatrical censorship came about in 1968, in between Orton’s untimely early death at the age of 34 and the premiere of What the Butler Saw. Orton was murdered by Kenneth Halliwell on August 9, 1968. Orton’s other works include Loot, The Erpingham Camp, and Entertaining Mr. Sloane.
Jobsite's production features David M. Jenkins as Dr. Prentice, Caroline Jett as Mrs. Prentice, Katie Castonguay as Geraldine Barclay, Dayton Sinkia as Nicholas Beckett, Ward Smith as Dr. Rance and Michael C. McGreevy as Sgt. Match. What the Butler Saw is directed and costumed by Katrina Stevenson with lighting and set design by Brian Smallheer.
See more about the cast and crew.
And Baby Makes Seven | Night of the Living Dead | What the Butler Saw
