What The Butler Saw - Theatre Review
Orton’s writing is renowned for its inventive wordplay and biting turn of phrases, but the cast also make the most of the plays slapstick elements.
rating: 4
Joe Ortons 1969 farce What The Butler Saw, published and performed after the authors death, is considered to be his finest work. The play has been revived this summer for a run at the Vaudeville Theatre, London, with a cracking cast and director. The play begins with Dr Prentice (Tim McInnerny) trying to seduce an applicant (Georgia Moffett) for an assistant role; his wife walks in un-expectantly (played by Samantha Bond) and Prentices attempts to conceal his adulterous seduction kick starts a shocking, sometimes horrible but always hilarious chain of events. Designer Alice Powers set is brilliant; Dr. Prentices consultation room is transformed into an image most resembling an impressionist painting, the walls and doors all shoot off at odd angles and the floor slightly slopes away from the audience. This perfectly matches the plays relationship with insanity. Director Sean Foley, hot of the success of The Ladykillers, skilfully moves around the plays singular location and makes the most of the sets multiple doors. I did feel that maybe Sean Foleys direction brings the play to the edge of complete insanity slightly to early in the first act, but this doesnt really matter, since the play remains so remarkable entertaining and funny throughout, and this is down to Anne Vossers impeccable casting. I dont think I have ever felt so tired and worn out just watching a play. The action runs at a break neck speed and although entertained, I couldnt help but feel sorry for the performers. Samantha Bond wonderfully staggers around the stage as if her heels were 12 foot high, and her scenes shared with McInnerny are the highlights of the night. Omid Djalili manages to steel all the best laughs with his great comic timing and quite brilliant range of facial expressions. Ortons writing is renowned for its inventive wordplay and biting turn of phrases, but the cast also make the most of the plays slapstick elements. McInnerny in particular throws his body around as if possessed, and if anyones hair could ever be a description of their mental state, this would be it! The rest of the cast also do a fine job in their roles, particularly Georgia Moffett. What The Butler Saw is funny, entertaining and loads of fun. There is so much enjoyment to be found in Ortons writing, and it is great to see his work being revived again. Do go and see What The Butler Saw, and expect to laugh hard!