Theatre News

Opening: Prick Up Your Ears, Lowry

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31 August 2009

Little Britain star Matt Lucas will play Kenneth Halliwell in Prick Up Your Ears,
a new play by Simon Bent about the life of playwright Joe Orton,
which opens at the Lowry on 31st August, as part of a small tour, prior to a West End run at the Comedy Theatre from 30 September 2009
(previews from 17 September).

Prick Up Your Ears, a darkly comic play inspired Orton’s
diaries and the John Lahr biography of the same name (also the
inspiration for Stephen Frears’ 1987 film, scripted by Alan Bennett),
examines the relationship between the two writers which ended
tragically in 1967 when Halliwell bludgeoned Orton to death before
committing suicide.

The play imagines what really happened when, after years of creative
collaboration, the door slammed shut and Kenneth Halliwell was home
alone. It tells the story behind the domestic life of Joe Orton and
Halliwell, holed up in a tiny flat in Islington, trading well-trodden
insults and hilarious put-downs like any old married couple.

Chris New, whose London stage credits include The Reporter at the National and Bent
at the Trafalgar Studios, stars opposite Lucas as Orton. Casting for
the final role of Mrs Corden, the neighbour, will be announced shortly.
American Daniel Kramer (Pictures from an Exhibition, Bent) directs.

Matt Lucas, best known for his work with comedy partner David Walliams on BBC sketch show Little Britain, last appeared on the West End stage when he took over the role of Leigh Bowery in the original production of Boy George’s Taboo in 2002.

Prior to the West End opening, Prick Up Your Ears will also play at the Theatre Royal Brighton (7-12 September).

It’s produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Kim Poster for Stanhope
Productions and Lee Menzies and is currently booking at the Comedy
until 6 December 2009.