British Comedy Guide
Joe Orton Laid Bare. Joe Orton. Copyright: IWC Media
Joe Orton Laid Bare

Joe Orton Laid Bare

  • TV documentary
  • BBC Two
  • 2017
  • 1 episode

A film that explores the wit, work and world of Joe Orton through his own words, and the testimony of those who knew him and worked with him. Also features Leonie Orton, Kenneth Cranham, Michael Codron, Christopher Hampton and Patricia Routledge

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Joe Orton Laid Bare. Copyright: IWC Media

Key details

Genre
Documentary
Broadcast
2017
Channel
BBC Two
Episodes
1
Features
Leonie Orton, Kenneth Cranham, Michael Codron, Christopher Hampton, Patricia Routledge and Joe Orton
Directors
Richard Curson Smith
Producers
Richard Curson Smith and Franny Moyle
Company

Fifty years since his murder at the hands of his lover Kenneth Halliwell, Joe Orton Laid Bare charts Joe's meteoric rise, one which began after his imprisonment for defacing library books in 1962.

The film celebrates the rapid development of his unique comic voice and his significant role in the culture of 60s swinging London. Joe's writing takes centre-stage in this account, with excerpts from his stage and TV plays and outrageous diaries. In addition, the circumstances of Joe's murder are re-examined and new insights provided into that tragic event.

Interviewees include Kenneth Cranham, Sir Michael Codron, Christopher Hampton, Dame Patricia Routledge and Joe Orton's sister, Leonie.

Additional details

Production
Location
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Colour

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Saturday 25th November 2017 at 9pm on BBC Two
Episode length
80 minutes
All previous repeats
  • Tuesday 9th January 2018 at 1:15am on BBC2

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