Orton's LOOT on Broadway?
Orton's LOOT on Broadway?
#1Orton's LOOT on Broadway?
Posted: 12/11/08 at 12:35am
"Joe Orton's Loot begins performances at Kilburn's Tricycle Theatre Dec. 11, prior to an official opening Dec. 15.
The production runs through Jan. 31, 2009, under the direction of Sean Holmes, who has been newly appointed to take over the artistic directorship of the Lyric Hammersmith.
The cast features Matt Di Angelo, Jim Creighton, David Haig, James Hayes, Doon Mackichan and Javone Prince.
The comedy, first staged in 1965 for a regional British tour that never made it into London, received its West End premiere in 1966 in a separate production that transferred from Holborn's Jeanetta Cochrane Theatre. It received its short-lived Broadway premiere at the Biltmore Theatre in 1968, running for 22 performances, and was subsequently revived at the Music Box in 1986, in a production that transferred from Manhattan Theatre Club.
The play follows the fortunes of Dennis and Hal, two young lads who hijack Hal's mother's coffin to stash the loot from a recent heist. The plot thickens as her body keeps turning up around the house. The unscrupulous police Inspector Truscott arrives on the scene sowing confusion around him, whilst Nurse Fay works her dubious charms on Hal's Dad."
https://www.playbill.com/news/article/124167.html
With this forthcoming mounting across the pond, I'm curious as to how many would be interested in even entertaining the notion of seeing this one revived on Broadway for today's generation of theatergoers? Having read-up on it, I'm already a fan of the premise -- Quirky, wonky, darkly comedic. My kind of comedy!
Anyone on here catch this in previous incarnations?
Let's share some LOOT lovin'!
Best,
- Mike 
Updated On: 12/11/08 at 12:35 AM
#2re: Orton's LOOT on Broadway?
Posted: 12/11/08 at 12:37amCraig Lucas directed a fascinating production of this fascinating play in Seattle several years ago.
#2re: Orton's LOOT on Broadway?
Posted: 12/11/08 at 1:50am
Saw the revival with Zoe Wanamaker, who'd gotten raves but was totally miscast. In fact, I thought the whole production as a whole pretty much missed the boat.
I like the play and would love to see a good production.
#3re: Orton's LOOT on Broadway?
Posted: 12/11/08 at 2:40amWhich company licenses productions? Anybody know?
#4re: Orton's LOOT on Broadway?
Posted: 12/11/08 at 3:30am
Samuel French.
The vast majority of the time it's either Samuel French or Dramatists Play Service so it's easy to check for yourself. Both companies have sites and all you have to do is a search on each to find out which one handles it. (Or just a search on one if you pick the right one first, as I just did with Loot.)
Of course, there are plays that aren't handled by either but by some smaller organization, but check those first when you're wondering about a play.
#5re: Orton's LOOT on Broadway?
Posted: 12/11/08 at 8:26amSaw Loot last time out with Alec Baldwin. Ok show, not as disturbing or controversial as when it initially opened. It was just a bit too absurd for me and I'm no fan of theatre of the absurd. Thanks, but this time I'll pass and reread Ortons plays instead.
#8re: Orton's LOOT on Broadway?
Posted: 12/12/08 at 1:31amAmong the many brilliant things in Lucas' production were the casting of a man as Fay the Nurse. He was in drag but the actor played it as a woman without winking once to the audience. Also, the entire set was made to look as if it were a gigantic flower pot.
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