Playwright. Born Leicester. Came to London in 1951 as a student at RADA, where he met fellow student Kenneth Halliwell. Works include Entertaining Mr Sloane and Loot, in which he wrote the part of Inspector Truscott for his close friend Kenneth Williams. In 1962 Orton and his partner, Halliwell, were prosecuted for stealing and defacing books from the Islington Public Library. Jealous of his sexual adventures, Halliwell murdered Orton with a hammer and then committed suicide with sleeping pills, at 25 Noel Road.
Other Subjects
Sir Alfred Butt
Theatre impressario, Conservative politician, racehorse owner. Born London. Started as an accountant at Harrods and then moved to the Palace Theatre Cambridge Circus, becoming MD in 1906. It wa...
Pimlico Tavern & Pimlico Pleasure Gardens, Hoxton
It seems likely that this tavern and pleasure gardens took the name of a publican with the foreign name 'Pimlico'. There were many places of entertainment nearby and the whole area became known as...
Edward Alleyn
Also known as Ned Allen. Born London near Bishopsgate and baptised at St Botolphs in 1566. Theatre manager and actor. Founder of Dulwich College, almshouses near the theatre in Bath Street and Alle...
George Grossmith, Snr
Born London. Entertainer and author. Created a number of the great Gilbert and Sullivan roles, including Bunthorne, possibly modelled on Oscar Wilde. With his brother Weedon wrote the comic novel '...
St Bride Foundation Institute
Established to meet the educational, cultural and social needs of a community working within the burgeoning print industry of the Victorian era. The Londonphile has visited and photographed the in...
Group, Journalism / Publishing, Museums / Libraries, Theatre