The current show at the New Theatre is a revival of British playwright Joe Orton’s 1965 satirical farce LOOT.
LOOT follows the fortunes of two young thieves, Hal and Dennis. Together they rob the bank next to the funeral parlour where Dennis works and return to Hal’s home to hide the money. Hal’s mother has just died and the money is hidden in her coffin while her body keeps on appearing around the house.
Upon the arrival of Inspector Truscott, the plot becomes bizarre as Hal and Dennis try to keep him off their trail, aided by Nurse McMahon and to the despair of Hal’s father, Mr. McLeavy.
LOOT, a two act play, was very radical for its time and satirised people’s attitudes to religion, death and the integrity of the police force. It looks at how there is such a big difference between what people say and what they actually do.
Orton’s play with its dark humour is regularly revived. The playwright says of his play, “LOOT is a serious play. Unless it is directed and acted perfectly seriously the play will fail. A director who imagines that the only object is to get a laugh is not for me.”
Johann Walraven’s production for the New is a good one, realising plenty of laughter from the audience as well as his many digs at the British bourgeoisie
The creative team included a great set by set designer David Marshall-Martin, lighting design was by Paris Bell, sound design by Glenn Braithwaite, costume design by Kathleen Kershaw , dialect coach Nick Curnow and fight director Tim Dashwood.
The cast were excellent. Nicholas Papademetriou was great as father and husband Mr McLeavy, whose wife has just died.
Ali Davies is great as his deceased wife Mrs McLeavy who is shuffled all over the stage, including cupboards, body bags etc.
As the two unlikely lads and thieves, Oliver MacFayden as Mr McLeavy’s son Hal and Andrew Waldin as Dennis, give performances that are often very funny.
Shannon Ryan with her broad British accent and over done appearance is great fun as the very suss nurse Fay who looked after Mrs McLeavy in her illness. She has been married seven times and each of her husbands has died under strange circumstances. Much is revealed about her during the play.
Alexander Spinks is great as Truscott, the Inspector from the Water Board who one knows all along is a Police Inspector from Scotland Yard.
Sara Lepejian has a brief understated appearance as Truscott’s colleague, Meadows,
This was an entertaining night at the theatre. It was good to see this Joe Orton play which he was most famous for. It was especially good to see as it was one of the plays I studied in first year at University.
Joe Orton’s LOOT is playing the New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown until the 4th November 2023.
Production photography by Bob Seary