Orton Diaries Reveal Life’s Detritus Made... (Press, 11 December 1986)

Joe Orton, a playwright known for his provocative works, had a tumultuous life that came to a tragic end in 1967 when he was brutally murdered by his lover, Kenneth Halliwell, in their north London bedsit. Orton, who was 34 at the time of his death, had been riding a wave of success, having gained acclaim for his plays like "Entertaining Mr Sloane," "Loot," and "What The Butler Saw." However, just months before his death, he boasted about his rising fame to a friend. Following the murder, Halliwell took his own life, leaving behind a note suggesting that Orton's diaries would provide insight into their relationship. Nearly two decades later, these diaries have been published and edited by John Lahr, who had previously profiled Orton in a biography. Lahr considers the diaries to be remarkably candid and expansive, noting Orton's unique ability to transform life's trivial aspects into exceptional art. The diaries reflect Orton's unapologetic and extravagant lifestyle, filled with sexual exploits, particularly against the backdrop of London’s Swinging Sixties. Despite only writing three full-length plays in his brief career, Orton made a significant impression on British theatre, renowned for his sharp wit and combining highbrow dialogue with darkly comic and violent themes. Lahr argues that Orton reshaped the farce genre, using it as a vehicle to express broader societal critiques. However, the content of Orton's diaries often eclipsed the provocative nature of his plays, containing an unfiltered account of his sexual adventures and personal reflections during the final months of his life. Orton's increasingly detaching attitude towards Halliwell is evident in the later entries, which starkly contrast Halliwell's growing discontent and emotional turmoil stemming from jealousy and insecurity regarding Orton's fame and infidelities. Though Orton publicly acknowledged Halliwell's role as his mentor and partner, he heavily edited Halliwell out of his narrative of success. As Orton's popularity grew, Halliwell's struggles with his own literary failures became more pronounced, yet he remained largely in the shadows, unable to cope with the imbalance in their relationship. These diaries reveal Orton's disinterest in conventionality, as he lived a liberated and candid lifestyle even in the face of societal judgement. His transparency in documenting intimate encounters, including one in a public lavatory, highlights Orton's rebellion against the norms of his time. However, this same openness may have contributed to his tragic end. The chilling detail in his final diary entries documents a growing detachment from Halliwell, who was increasingly unable to handle Orton's success and infidelity, ultimately leading to the fatal clash that ended Orton's remarkable, albeit brief, life.

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