What the Butler Saw

What the Butler Saw is a farcical play by English playwright, John Kingsley “Joe” Orton. First performed in 1969, after Orton’s death, the play is about a doctor in a psychiatric home who tries to seduce the woman he wants for a secretary, and their attempts to hide an incident during the interview. The play was Orton’s attempt to revive comedy and farce in theatre at the time. Orton is remembered for his daring attempts to shock and amuse audiences; darkly farcical modern plays are known as “Ortonesque.” His first novel, Head to Toe, was published posthumously.