Born John Orton on New Year’s Day in 1933, Joe Orton would become one of Britain’s best-known playwrights, renowned for his scandalous black comedies, including 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 partner Kenneth Halliwell. Halliwell bludgeoned Orton to death before taking his own life. Orton was just 38 years old.
The pair met while students at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London during the 1950s. They moved in together and lived largely on Halliwell’s inheritance. The couple lived on a tight budget and spent much of their time writing novels and playing elaborate pranks.
Orton created the alter ego Mrs Edna Welthorpe and frequently wrote letters to newspapers expressing outrage at what he described as society’s moral decline. He also wrote to local church halls seeking rehearsal space for a play called Pansy, which he described as promoting greater tolerance of homosexuality.
After he began finding success as a playwright, Orton even wrote letters of complaint about his own work while writing in character as Mrs Welthorpe.
Over a period of three years, Orton and Halliwell defaced books borrowed from two local libraries, often altering dust jackets by inserting provocative images from artworks. When they were caught, both men were sentenced to six months in prison. The altered books have since become notable artefacts associated with Orton’s life and career.
In the early 1960s, Orton began achieving success as a writer, producing work for radio before making his theatrical breakthrough with Loot in 1965.
Orton’s life ended tragically when Halliwell murdered him, repeatedly striking him with a hammer. Halliwell then took his own life. According to several accounts, Orton had been considering ending the relationship. Halliwell left a note stating: “If you read his diary all will be explained”, signing it “K.H.” before adding, “P.S. Especially the latter part.”
Following their deaths, Orton’s diaries were published, providing insight into their lives, struggles and successes.
Orton’s final play, What the Butler Saw, was first staged in 1969, two years after his death. The same year also saw the premieres of two television plays, The Good and Faithful Servant and Funeral Games. His novel Head to Toe was published in 1971.
The film Prick Up Your Ears, based on John Lahr’s biography of the same name, was later made about the lives of Orton and Halliwell. The screenplay was written by Alan Bennett and directed by Stephen Frears. Gary Oldman portrayed Orton, while Alfred Molina played Halliwell.
Sir Ian McKellen was offered the role of Halliwell but declined, saying he needed a break. He later said he greatly regretted the decision.
