Sexual taboos stride forth in 60s black comedy in Leamington

A “wickedly funny” play that sets out to expose the bigoted views held by many in post-war Britain is coming to Leamington’s Loft Theatre next week.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Mar 2013, 07:01 BST
Howard Scott Walker as Ed, (standing) Chris Gilbey-Smith as Sloane, (seated) Kate Sawyer as Kath, (seated) and Neil Vallance as Kemp in the Loft Theatre.s production of Entertaining Mr Sloane.Howard Scott Walker as Ed, (standing) Chris Gilbey-Smith as Sloane, (seated) Kate Sawyer as Kath, (seated) and Neil Vallance as Kemp in the Loft Theatre.s production of Entertaining Mr Sloane.
Howard Scott Walker as Ed, (standing) Chris Gilbey-Smith as Sloane, (seated) Kate Sawyer as Kath, (seated) and Neil Vallance as Kemp in the Loft Theatre.s production of Entertaining Mr Sloane.

Entertaining Mr Sloane by Leicester-born Joe Orton - who was murdered by his lover after a brief period of scandalising audiences with his black stage comedies - will be staged from Wednesday until Saturday April 13.

It is the swinging ‘60s and sexy, cocksure, charismatic Mr Sloane is looking for a place to live. Middle-aged Kath offers herself as his landlady, with the promise of ‘extras’ on the side - and her brother Ed is determined to get in on the action, too. Sloane plays one off against the other to get what he wants - but a dark secret from his murky past is unearthed.

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Director Tim Willis said: “Set at a time when homosexuality was still a crime and children born out of wedlock were still taboo, this wickedly funny and sometimes violent play sets out to expose the bigoted views and the hypocrisy of British post-war respectability.”

The play contains violence, adult themes and scenes of a sexual nature. Performances take place at 7.30pm (no performances on Sundays). For tickets, call 0844 493 4938 or visit www.loft-theatre.co.uk

Related topics:BritainLeamingtonLeicester