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Review: Joe Orton’s What the Butler Saw comes to Cambridge Arts Theatre




What the Butler Saw, the last play to be completed by the great playwright Joe Orton before his untimely death in 1967, is on now at the Cambridge Arts Theatre, running until Saturday (20 July).

Described as “Orton’s most ambitious play, manic farce and masterclass in fearless comic writing”, this pioneering piece - it was certainly ahead of its time and its influence can be seen on subsequent works - has a cast of six.

What the Butler Saw. Picture: Sheila Burnett
What the Butler Saw. Picture: Sheila Burnett

In this new touring version that’s: Alex Cardall as Nicholas Beckett, John Dorney as Doctor Prentice, Alana Jackson as Geraldine Barclay, Jack Lord as Doctor Rance, Holly Smith as Mrs Prentice, and Michael Hugo, playing the role of Sergeant Match at tonight’s performance (Thursday, 18 July), in place of Jon-Paul Rowden.

The colourful set is what first captured my attention, its ‘kooky’ layout - complete with Monty Python-esque giant hand hanging from the ceiling - perfectly echoing the crazy goings-on that transpire.

Gradually, the different characters are introduced and the fact that so many increasingly bizarre situations and total misunderstandings emanate from what begins as a simple act of attempted seduction on the part of Doctor Prentice is testament to Orton’s skill as a writer.

As the farce escalates, we learn more about the characters and, while each of them has their funny lines and laugh-out-loud moments, for me the funniest of all was Doctor Rance, who gives away quite a bit about himself through his actions alone - and is possibly the most ‘unhinged’ of the lot, despite claiming to be the voice of reason.

What the Butler Saw. Picture: Sheila Burnett
What the Butler Saw. Picture: Sheila Burnett
What the Butler Saw. Picture: Sheila Burnett
What the Butler Saw. Picture: Sheila Burnett

There is something Basil Fawlty-esque about the sheer frustration of Doctor Prentice - and one feels his pain! - and how his actions, designed to hide the truth, are wildly misinterpreted.

In fact, I was reminded of Fawlty Towers and also the Carry On films at times throughout the play - which is certainly not a bad thing - and I also heard Holly Smith, who oozes sex appeal as Mrs Prentice, being compared to Barbara Windsor by someone in the interval.

“She has that Barbara Windsor wiggle” were their exact words. I am inclined to agree.

The ever more crazy situations continue in the second half as events spiral even more out of control - and at times it’s quite an exhausting watch!

There is then a series of plot twists and shocking revelations at the end, which I personally didn’t see coming, and which left me and a number of other theatre-goers laughing quite hysterically.

To be honest, I wasn’t laughing so much at the beginning, but I was by the end!

[Read more: Joe Orton farce What the Butler Saw on its way to Cambridge Arts Theatre]

What the Butler Saw may not be for everybody, but if you like dark humour, farcical situations and comedy in its purest form, then this play is for you.

What the Butler Saw. Picture: Sheila Burnett
What the Butler Saw. Picture: Sheila Burnett

Catch What the Butler Saw until Saturday, 20 July, at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. Tickets, priced £20-£35, are available from cambridgeartstheatre.com.



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