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 died by suicide using sleeping pills, at 25 Noel Road.
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Eleonora Duse
Actress. Born Eleonora Giulia Amalia Duse at the Albergo Cannon d'Oro in Vigevano, Lombardy, Italy. She played many of Henrik Ibsen's heroines in Europe and America. Made her London debut at the Ly...
Celia Johnson
Actor. Born Celia Elizabeth Johnson at 46 Richmond Hill, Richmond, Surrey. Best known for her performance with Trevor Howard in the 1945 film 'Brief Encounter'; which, although it has been parodied...
Leslie Howard
Actor and film director. Born Leslie Howard Steiner at 31 Westbourne Road, Forest Hill. He began his career as a stage actor in Britain and the USA. In films, he appeared in 'Berkeley Square', 'The...
Palace Theatre Walthamstow
Designed by Wylson and Long, it was located at 195 - 197 Walthamstow High Street. Known in rhyming slang as 'Aunty Alice', It opened as a cinema and music hall, and became a playhouse in 1952. It c...
David Devant
Born 4 Boston Terrace, Holloway, as David Wighton. His stage name was taken from the title of a painting ‘David devant Goliath’ (David before Goliath), and was first used, aged 17. Married his, n...
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