Donate

Loot: the not-so-shocking farce

Christian Butler

Topics Culture

Loot, the dark farce written by murdered playwright Joe Orton, celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the Lincoln Company has brought a new revival to the Fringe. The plot follows young thieves Hal and Dennis who, in the run up to Hal’s mother’s funeral, concoct a plan to stash their ill-gotten gains in the coffin. As Inspector Truscott arrives to investigate, farce ensues.

While the play’s jabs at Catholicism and the police were outrageous in 1965, they are thoroughly un-edgy to a modern-day audience. However, the production still holds together well; the Lincoln Company’s young cast are a fine ensemble, and, as with the best of farces, the laughs come faster as the play goes on.

Christian Butler is a writer and musician based in London.

Loot is at C Venues – C until 31 August.

To enquire about republishing spiked’s content, a right to reply or to request a correction, please contact the managing editor, Viv Regan.

Topics Culture

Comments

Want to join the conversation?

Only spiked supporters and patrons, who donate regularly to us, can comment on our articles.

Join today