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
Finsbury Park Empire Theatre
Designed by Frank Matcham. One of London’s most popular variety theatres. Here, in January 1921, the magician P. T. Selbit performed the illusion of "sawing a lady in half" - its first public perfo...
Frank Theobalds
Clerk of Works during the building of the Stanley Halls, and subsequently resident Secretary and Manager.
Ellen Terry
Born in Coventry. From an acting family her stage career started at age 8. When 17 she retired from the stage to marry artist G.F. Watts, 30 years her senior. Her desire for the stage was greater t...
Albert Chevalier
Music hall comedian, singer and musical theatre actor. Born at St Ann's Villas where the plaque now is, to a French father and Welsh mother. Married Florence, daughter of George Leybourne. His ful...
Richard Briers
Actor. Born Richard David Briers at the Nelson Hospital in Merton. After many stage appearances, he came to national recognition in the television sitcom 'Marriage Lines'. He is however best rememb...