Loot (play)

Loot is a play by Joe Orton. The play is an extremely dark farce which satirises the Catholic Church, social attitudes to death, and the integrity of the police force.

Related Topics:
Joe Orton - Dark - Farce - Catholic Church

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Loot was Orton's third major production, following Entertaining Mr Sloane and the television play The Good and Faithful Servant. He completed a first draft in October 1964, which premiered in Cambridge on February 1, 1965. The production starred Geraldine McEwen, Kenneth Williams, Duncan Macrae and Ian McShane and was directed by Peter Wood.

Related Topics:
Entertaining Mr Sloane - The Good and Faithful Servant - Cambridge - Geraldine McEwen - Kenneth Williams - Duncan Macrae - Ian McShane - Peter Wood

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Responses to the first production were extremely mixed, with many in the audience outraged, as Orton had intended. Largely negative reviews also killed the box office. The first run ended at Wimbledon on March 15, 1965 with the play considered a flop due to its problems with repeated script rewrites, uneven direction, a stylish and unsympathetic set, and what many considered the miscasting of Williams.

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However, Loot was successfully revived the next year at the Jeanette Cochrane Theatre on September 27, 1966 with Gerry Duggan, Sheila Ballantine, Kenneth Cranham, Simon Ward, and Michael Bates in the major roles. The play won several awards in its London run and transferred to the Criterion Theatre in November. The play has since gained a reputation as a comic masterpiece and has had many revivals.

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