Orton Square

Orton Square, outside the new Curve performing arts centre, honours one of Leicester’s most notable and celebrated playwrights. The naming of Leicester’s latest landmark, meeting place and performance area was celebrated in style on November 1^st 2008 with stunning street entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display.

Who Was Joe Orton?

Joe Orton was born in Leicester in 1933 and lived on the Saffron Lane council estate. After winning a scholarship to RADA in 1951, he met Kenneth Halliwell, an actor and writer seven years his senior. Halliwell would become Orton’s friend, mentor, lover and, eventually, his murderer.

Between 1964 and 1967, Orton contributed to an exciting working class culture that swept through the nation. The rising star of an ‘alternative British intelligentsia’, Orton made religion, sex and death outrageously funny.

In his short but prolific career, Orton amused audiences with his scandalous black comedies. His first stage play, Entertaining Mr Sloane, was a huge success while his second, Loot, won the coveted Evening Standard award for Best Play.

In August 1967 Kenneth Halliwell murdered Orton before killing himself. His suicide note referred to the contents of Orton's diary as an explanation of his actions:‘If you read his diary, all will be explained …’

Forty years on since his death, Joe Orton can still draw an audience with ease, testament to the quality, uniqueness and freshness of his writing.

Find out more about Joe Orton

www.joeorton.org

All images: courtesy The Leicester Mercury.