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
Collins Music Hall
As Sam Vagg (1827-65) he was a chimney sweep but as Sam Collins he was an "Irish" singer. In 1862 he took over the Lansdowne Arms, turned it into a music hall and renamed it after himself. Sam died...
W. S. Gilbert
Playwright, lyricist & poet. Born 17 Southampton Street as William Schwenck Gilbert. The Savoy Operas were written by Gilbert, with Sullivan providing the music and Richard D'Oyly Carte providi...
Shakespeare Reading Society
Active in 1909 with Beerbohm Tree as President. 2018: Via Facebook Roger W. Haworth wrote to say that this organisation is active, with Judi Dench as President. We are pleased to hear that and sor...
Ernest Boulton
Boulton and Frederick Park were 'Stella & Fanny', the celebrated Victorian cross-dressers. Born at Kings Road, Tottenham. Boulton's cross-dressing began very early and his parents seem to hav...
George Grossmith, Jnr
Actor-manager and playwright. His father of the same name was also in show business. Often partnered Edmund Payne on stage (on Grossmith's right knee in this photo).