What the Butler Saw

Full Length, Farce

Interior Set

Dr. Prentice, a psychiatric doctor in an exclusive, private clinic, is attempting to interview (and seduce) an attractive would-be secretary, Geraldine. Unwttingly surprised by his wife, he hides the girl. The affairs multiply as Mrs. Prentice, being seduced and blackmailed by young bellhop Nicholas Beckett, has promised him the secretarial post. When a government inspector arrives, chaos, underpants and cross-dressing lead the charge. The final tableau reveals "the missing parts of Winston Churchill" held aloft as the curtain falls. The London premiere at the Queen's Theatre in 1969 starred Coral Browne and Sir Ralph Richardson. The New York production later won the Obie Award as Best Foreign Play of The Season.

"Hilarious, outrageous...It dazzles!...Wonderfully verbal, toying with words as if they were firecrackers."- The New York Times

"Brilliant, witty, the funniest show so far this season." -NBC TV

"Madly antic humor."-Associated Press

"Hilarious...Joe Orton's best comedy."-CBS TV