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ED2013 5/5 Reviews ED2013 Theatre Reviews
Entertaining Mr Orton (Tower Theatre Company)
By Julian Joseph | Published on Saturday 17 August 2013
‘Entertaining Mr Orton’ is hilarious, dramatic, perfectly paced, exceptionally well-acted and beautifully written. The story depicts Joe Orton in the black comedy style of his own plays, following his relationship with Kenneth Halliwell up to his murder. The piece sticks closely to the real events while also being farcical; Orton’s theatre snob alter ego ‘Aunt Edna’ is a real character. The characterisation is superb, from tragic characters such as Orton’s mother to hilarious caricatures in the courtroom scene, but particularly with regard to Orton and Halliwell’s deteriorating relationship. Overall the piece is incredibly well-balanced, hilarious as it is ultimately sad, silly as it is profound and as good a depiction of the playwright as it is explosively entertaining.
C, until 17 Aug, 8.25pm.
tw rating 5/5 | [Julian Joseph]
