Closex
Prick Up Your Ears
A new play based on the biography and diaries of the notorious British playwright Joe Orton who met a violent end in 1967.
Operated by The Society of London Theatre
Prick Up Your Ears
Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, LondonPrick Up Your Ears is a new play inspired by the John Lahr biography of the late British playwright Joe Orton (Loot, Entertaining Mr Sloane), and the diaries of Orton himself, whose notorious life came to an abrupt and violent end at the height of his fame when he was battered to death by his lover, Kenneth Halliwell, in the Islington flat they shared, in 1967.
Bent sets Prick Up Your Ears five years earlier, in 1962, when RADA graduates and aspiring playwrights Orton and Halliwell are plotting their rightful place at the centre of London's literary scene, whilst engaging in a secret crusade to 'improve' the local library books - all in the worst possible taste. After a short stay at Her Majesty's pleasure, Orton is on the cusp of becoming the greatest and most notorious comic playwright since Oscar Wilde, but Halliwell remains indoors redecorating, reduced to sharing Orton's success with their neighbour, Mrs Corden, over tea and a slice of Batternburg.
Prick Up Your Ears is a darkly funny and moving play which imagines what really happened when, after years of creative collaboration, the door slammed shut and Halliwell was home alone. It tells the sensational story behind the domestic life of Orton and Halliwell, holed up in a tiny flat in Islington, trading well-trodden insults and hilarious put-downs like any old married couple.
Prick Up Your Ears was also the title of John Lahr's 1978 biography of Orton, upon which this play is based, and was adapted by Alan Bennett into a 1987 screenplay which starred Gary Oldman as Orton.
Simon Bent (A Prayer For Owen Meany, Elling, Sugar Sugar) has created this new stage play which stars Chris New (Bent) as Orton and Con O'Neill - taking over from original star Matt Lucas - as Halliwell. New was nominated for Outstanding Newcomer in the 2006 Evening Standard Theatre Awards for his performance in Bent. O'Neill is a Laurence Olivier Award-winner whose recent stage credits include Faces In The Crowd, The Female Of The Species and the Caretaker.
For more about Prick Up Your Ears at the Comedy theatre, read the First Night Feature or the Big Interview with original star Matt Lucas.
Cast & CreativesEXPAND
cast: Con O'Neill, Chris New, Gwen Taylor
director: Daniel Kramer
sound: Gareth Owen
lighting designer: Peter Mumford
designer: Peter McKintosh
producer: Sonia Friedman Productions, Kim Poster for Stanhope Productions and Lee Menzies
Ticket Prices:
£17.50-£49.50
About the show
- Age Suitability: General
- Genre: Play
- Sub-Genre: Play-Drama
- Show Times: Tue-Sat 19:30, Sat 14:30, Sun 16:00, 14, 28 Oct, 11, 25 Nov 14:30
- Duration: 2h
- opening night:
- Box Office:
0870 060 6637 - Visit the Show Website
Related Articles
NEWS
Mon 22 Jun 2009 11:13Lucas and New Prick Up Your Ears
Venue InformationHIDE
Harold Pinter Theatre
Panton Street, London, United Kingdom, SW1Y 4DN
- Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus (225m)
- Nearest bus: 3, 6, 9, 12, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 29, 38, 88, 91, 94, 139, 159, 176, 453
- Parking: Westminter City Council car park at Whitcomb Street. NCP at Denman Street.
- Air conditioned: 1
- Download an Enabled Map
Venue Access InformationEXPAND
- How to book: Tel: 0871 297 5477 Fax: 020 8544 7488
- Discounts: Discounts vary according to production. Concessions may be available (Please enquire at time of booking).
- Limited mobility: Row A and seats N1, N21, L1, L21, D1, D22 in the stalls and Boxes C & D have the most leg room.
- Access description: Level access from street to Dress circle via ramp at the entrance and level platform to seats.2 steps up to double doors opening into the foyer. All stairs are highlighted and have handrails on both sides. No steps from the foyer to the back of the Dress Circle (2 steps between rows). 24 steps down from the foyer to the Stalls, 23 steps up from the foyer to the Royal Circle (with 2 steep steps between rows) and 50 steps up to the Balcony.
- Hearing impaired: Infra-red system with 6 headsets. Headsets available from the Duty Manager. You will be asked to leave a credit card or a £10 deposit. Portable loop available in Box Office.
- Guide dogs policy: Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome at the Comedy Theatre. They can stay with you during the performances, however, you must inform the Box Office when booking your tickets and a seat on the aisle can be reserved for you. Alternatively, a member of staff will care for your dog during the performance.
- Wheelchairs: 4 wheelchair spaces in Dress Circle. 2 transfer seats in E5 and E17
- Toilets: There is no adapted toilet. It may be possible to use the toilet on the left-hand side of the auditorium, down 6 steps via a ramp and through 2 doorways, approx. 64cm wide. Women’s and men’s at Stalls, Royal Circle and Balcony. Please note, the men's toilet on the Royal Circle level is only accessible via 13 steps up from the Royal Circle Bar.
- Disabled toilets: No adapted toilet.
- Bars: 3 licensed bars. No steps from the back of the Dress Circle to the foyer bar (no seating). Drinks brought to disabled customers in the auditorium. More bars at the rear of the Stalls, at Royal Circle and at Balcony.
