Premium Content:

On This Gay Day | Playwright Joe Orton was murdered in 1967

Born John Orton on New Year’s Day in 1933, Orton would adopt the name Joe and go on to become a well-known playwright for his scandalous black comedies which included Entertaining Mr Sloane, Loot, Funeral Games and What the Butler Saw. 

Orton’s theatrical career, and life, was cut short in August 1967 when he was murdered by his long-term boyfriend Kenneth Halliwell. Halliwell bludgeoned Orton to death before taking his own life. Orton was just 38 years old when he was killed.

- Advertisement -

The pair met as students at the Royal Institute of Dramatic Art in London in the 1950s. They moved into together and lived off Halliwell’s inheritance. They pair lived on a tight budget and spent most of their time writing novels together or playing pranks.

Orton created an alter-ego Mrs Edna Welthorpe, and he often wrote letters into newspapers claiming to be outraged about the moral decay of society or wrote to local church halls asking to rent their spaces to rehearse a play called Pansy which he described as being about increasing tolerance of homosexuality.

When he began to find success as a playwright, he often wrote in letters of complaint about his own works under this guise.

Over a period of three years Orton and Halliwell began defacing books at two local libraries, often pasting provocative images from arts works into the books dust jackets. When they were caught the pair were sentenced to six months in prison. The books they damaged are now held in high regard by the library.

In the early 1960’s Orton started to find success with his plays writing for radio and making his breakthrough with Loot in 1965.

Orton’s life came to a tragic end when Halliwell murdered him, repeatedly hitting him with a hammer. Shortly afterwards Halliwell took his own life. Friends later reported that Orton had been planning to break-up with his long term partner.  Halliwell left a note saying “If you read his diary all will be explained”, signing the note K.H, before adding “P.S. Especially the latter part”.

After their deaths, Orton’s diaries were published given an insight into their lives, battles and celebrations.

Orton’s final play What The Butler Saw was first staged in 1969, two years after his death, as were two of his television plays The Good and Faithful Servant and Funeral Games. His novel Head to Toe was published in 1971.

A film Prick Up Your Ears was made about their lives. Based on a biography of the same name by John Lahr, the screenplay was written by Alan Bennett and it was directed by Stephen Frears. Gary Oldman played Orton, while Alfred Molina depicted Halliwell.

Sir Ian McKellen was offered the part of Halliwell and turned it down, saying he needed a break, later he said he greatly regretted the decision.

Latest

US revokes approved early retirement of trans service members, removing their benefits

In January when US President Donald Trump returned to...

LGBTIQ+ groups join forces to denounce discrimination against trans women

"We reject damaging public narratives that seek to divide us and deny the long and connected history of our movement for equality and justice."

Rising star Georgina Hopson takes the lead in ‘Anastasia’ musical

The hit Broadway musical will have its Australian premiere at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne before touring to Perth and Sydney in 2026.

Join Dyan Tai for a unique afternoon of music, creativity and community

Midland-based LGBTIQA+ group Our Place is bringing queer pop sensation Dyan Tai to the west coast for a very special youth event.

Newsletter

Don't miss

US revokes approved early retirement of trans service members, removing their benefits

In January when US President Donald Trump returned to...

LGBTIQ+ groups join forces to denounce discrimination against trans women

"We reject damaging public narratives that seek to divide us and deny the long and connected history of our movement for equality and justice."

Rising star Georgina Hopson takes the lead in ‘Anastasia’ musical

The hit Broadway musical will have its Australian premiere at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne before touring to Perth and Sydney in 2026.

Join Dyan Tai for a unique afternoon of music, creativity and community

Midland-based LGBTIQA+ group Our Place is bringing queer pop sensation Dyan Tai to the west coast for a very special youth event.

Cher’s ‘The Farewell Tour’ coming to streaming platforms 22 years after release

Cher will release her classic concert album, The Farewell...

US revokes approved early retirement of trans service members, removing their benefits

In January when US President Donald Trump returned to power he issued an executive order saying that transgender personnel serving in the armed forces...

LGBTIQ+ groups join forces to denounce discrimination against trans women

"We reject damaging public narratives that seek to divide us and deny the long and connected history of our movement for equality and justice."

Rising star Georgina Hopson takes the lead in ‘Anastasia’ musical

The hit Broadway musical will have its Australian premiere at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne before touring to Perth and Sydney in 2026.