"What The Butler Saw" at Huntington

Joe Orton’s "What The Butler Saw"
Opens At Huntington on March 5

The Huntington Theatre Company will present Joe Orton's racy comedy "What the Butler Saw" at the Boston University Theatre from March 5 through April 4. Directed by Resident Director Darko Tresnjak, the accomplished cast includes stage, screen and television actor Paxton Whitehead along with Huntington favorites Amy Van Nostrand ("Dead End," "Heartbreak House") and Tim Donoghue ("Nixon's Nixon").

In this British social farce, the extramarital seductions of Dr. Prentice are interrupted by the unexpected arrival of his wife, fresh from a sexual misadventure of her own. Enter an overly enthusiastic hospital inspector plus a dim-witted policeman and Orton spins a dizzying tale of sexual impropriety, complete with straight jackets, drugs and lunatic logic.

Tresnjak commented, "'What the Butler Saw' is Joe Orton's funniest, most inventive, and certainly most daring play, the one in which all his gifts -- outrageous wit, vicious satire and meticulous plotting -- come together to offer a racy spectacle of humanity teetering on the brink of insanity."

He added, "Samuel Beckett's response to the despair, isolation, and anxiety of his own age was to strand his characters and bury them -- at times -- up to their chins. Orton's mad thrashings and desperate gyrations offer a valid, and I believe, timely alternative."

British playwright Joe Orton was one of a generation of new playwrights who came to prominence in the 50s and 60s by challenging existing norms and exploring new theatrical structures, which placed an emphasis on the darker elements of society.

Written in 1967, "What the Butler Saw" utilizes farce to examine the ills of our culture. Ironically, the abolishment of theatrical censorship came about in 1968, in between Orton's untimely death at the age of 34 and the premiere of "What the Butler Saw." Orton, whose other works include "Loot," "The Erpingham Camp" and "Entertaining Mr. Sloane."

Director Darko Tresnjak most recently directed the critically acclaimed "Two Noble Kinsmen" at The Public Theater/NYSF. At the Huntington, his directing credits include "The Blue Demon," "Heartbreak House" and "Amphitryon." Last season he began a two-year resident directorship with the Huntington, supported by a grant from Theatre Communications Group (TCG).

As always, the Huntington will be offering a series of Club Nights with "What the Butler Saw." Each evening provides an opportunity to mingle with fellow theatregoers and the artistic team or cast at a pre-or post-show reception, which is free with purchase of tickets. They include:

NIGHT CLUB
Sponsored by The Boston Phoenix
For theatregoers 35 and under
Thursday, March 11
7:30 p.m. performance, with a post-show reception

OUT & ABOUT CLUB
Sponsored by Bay Windows
For the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered community
Wednesday, March 17
7:30 p.m. performance, with a pre-show reception

THEATRE 101 -- NEW!
Learn more about theatre -- both what's on stage and what's happening behind the scenes -- with this exciting new interactive program. 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 30.

POST-PLAY AUDIENCE DISCUSSION -- NEW!
Converse with your peers about the play you've just seen. This program gives everyone a chance to listen and be heard by fellow theatregoers. Sunday, March 14, following the 7 p.m. show.

SNEAK PREVIEW
See a presentation by a member of the Huntington's artistic staff, featuring contextual background, as well as production-related information.
Tuesday, March 9, and Thursday, March 25, 6:30 to 7 p.m. in the theatre. Free with ticket.

HUMANITIES FORUMS
There will be a Humanities Forum on Sunday, March 21, following the 2 p.m. matinee.
Humanities Forums are free and open to the public.

ACTORS FORUMS
The cast from "What the Butler Saw" will reappear on stage after the show to participate in an open dialogue with the audience. Actors Forums will be held on Thursday, March 18, following the 7:30 p.m. performance, and on Wednesday, March 31, following the 2 p.m. matinee.

For tickets or information, call the Huntington Box Office at 617-266-0800 or log onto www.huntingtontheatre.org.

-- OnStage Boston

2/6/04

			Joe Orton’s "What The Butler Saw" Opens At Huntington on March 5 The Huntington Theatre Company will present Joe Orton's racy comedy "What the Butler Saw" at the Boston University Theatre from March 5 through April 4. Directed by Resident Director Darko Tresnjak, the accomplished cast includes stage, screen and television actor Paxton Whitehead along with Huntington favorites Amy Van Nostrand ("Dead End," "Heartbreak House") and Tim Donoghue ("Nixon's Nixon"). In this British social farce, the extramarital seductions of Dr. Prentice are interrupted by the unexpected arrival of his wife, fresh from a sexual misadventure of her own. Enter an overly enthusiastic hospital inspector plus a dim-witted policeman and Orton spins a dizzying tale of sexual impropriety, complete with straight jackets, drugs and lunatic logic. Tresnjak commented, "'What the Butler Saw' is Joe Orton's funniest, most inventive, and certainly most daring play, the one in which all his gifts -- outrageous wit, vicious satire and meticulous plotting -- come together to offer a racy spectacle of humanity teetering on the brink of insanity." He added, "Samuel Beckett's response to the despair, isolation, and anxiety of his own age was to strand his characters and bury them -- at times -- up to their chins. Orton's mad thrashings and desperate gyrations offer a valid, and I believe, timely alternative." British playwright Joe Orton was one of a generation of new playwrights who came to prominence in the 50s and 60s by challenging existing norms and exploring new theatrical structures, which placed an emphasis on the darker elements of society. Written in 1967, "What the Butler Saw" utilizes farce to examine the ills of our culture. Ironically, the abolishment of theatrical censorship came about in 1968, in between Orton's untimely death at the age of 34 and the premiere of "What the Butler Saw." Orton, whose other works include "Loot," "The Erpingham Camp" and "Entertaining Mr. Sloane." Director Darko Tresnjak most recently directed the critically acclaimed "Two Noble Kinsmen" at The Public Theater/NYSF. At the Huntington, his directing credits include "The Blue Demon," "Heartbreak House" and "Amphitryon." Last season he began a two-year resident directorship with the Huntington, supported by a grant from Theatre Communications Group (TCG). As always, the Huntington will be offering a series of Club Nights with "What the Butler Saw." Each evening provides an opportunity to mingle with fellow theatregoers and the artistic team or cast at a pre-or post-show reception, which is free with purchase of tickets. They include: NIGHT CLUB Sponsored by The Boston Phoenix For theatregoers 35 and under Thursday, March 11 7:30 p.m. performance, with a post-show reception OUT & ABOUT CLUB Sponsored by Bay Windows For the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered community Wednesday, March 17 7:30 p.m. performance, with a pre-show reception THEATRE 101 -- NEW! Learn more about theatre -- both what's on stage and what's happening behind the scenes -- with this exciting new interactive program. 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 30. POST-PLAY AUDIENCE DISCUSSION -- NEW! Converse with your peers about the play you've just seen. This program gives everyone a chance to listen and be heard by fellow theatregoers. Sunday, March 14, following the 7 p.m. show. SNEAK PREVIEW See a presentation by a member of the Huntington's artistic staff, featuring contextual background, as well as production-related information. Tuesday, March 9, and Thursday, March 25, 6:30 to 7 p.m. in the theatre. Free with ticket. HUMANITIES FORUMS There will be a Humanities Forum on Sunday, March 21, following the 2 p.m. matinee. Humanities Forums are free and open to the public. ACTORS FORUMS The cast from "What the Butler Saw" will reappear on stage after the show to participate in an open dialogue with the audience. Actors Forums will be held on Thursday, March 18, following the 7:30 p.m. performance, and on Wednesday, March 31, following the 2 p.m. matinee. For tickets or information, call the Huntington Box Office at 617-266-0800 or log onto www.huntingtontheatre.org. -- OnStage Boston 2/6/04

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