Entertaining Mr Sloane (2011)
by Joe Orton
Directed & Designed by
Performances: , Theatre
Contents
Introduction
Six months elapse between Act I and Act II
Plot summary
Mr Sloane, a young, beautiful and amoral con man, happens by the home of Kath, a middle-aged landlady who, clearly attracted to him, persuades him to become her lodger. Left alone with Sloane to entertain him, Kath's father Kemp, referred to as Dadda or 'the Dadda,' soon recognizes the young man as the murderer of Kemp's boss, who is still wanted by the police. Sloane engages in a cat-and-mouse game with Kemp over his identity. The situation becomes even more complex when Kath's over-bearing brother Ed appears. Kemp has refused to speak to Ed ever since he discovered him "committing some kind of felony in the bedroom" as a teenager. Kath assumes that Ed will not be pleased about Sloane staying, for fear of her forming a relationship with him, but it is clear from the beginning that Ed is also attracted to Sloane. Ed soon employs Sloane as his driver. Alone with Sloane at the climax of act one, Kath throws herself at him, declaring "I'll be your mamma", as she rolls on top of him and the lights go out.
At the climax of act two, Sloane kicks Kemp to death when he threatens to reveal his identity to the police. Ed is shocked when Sloane tries to persuade him to cover up the murder": "You murder my father. Now you ask me to help you evade Justice. Is that where my Liberal principles have brought me?" he asks. Sensing an opportunity, however, Ed tries to persuade Kath to collude in the deception, but when it becomes clear that this involves Sloane leaving to live with Ed, she refuses. Kath begs Sloane to stay, threatening him with the revelation that Kemp informed her of Sloane's previous crime, with which information she would go to the police. Sloane is caught between the conflicting and intractable desires of the brother and sister; "It's what is called a dilemma, boy", Ed explains, "you are on the horns of it." Sloane begs Ed to help resolve the situation:
- SLOANE: I'll be grateful.
- ED: Will you?
- SLOANE: Eternally.
- ED: Not eternally, boy. Just a few years.
- He pats SLOANE on the shoulder.
Eventually Kath and Ed reach a compromise, agreeing to cover up Kemp's murder and to share Sloane between them, with each "entertaining Mr. Sloane" for six months at a time.
Cast
four of the most grotesque characters in modern British drama: simpering, whining Kath; domineering, bigoted Ed; pretty, homicidal Sloane and sly, puritanical Kemp.
- Kath - Lorraine Spenceley
- Sloane - Ted Riley
- Dadda (Kemp) - Pat Brown
- Ed - Tim Witcomb
Crew
- Stage Manager - Kay George
- ASMs - Clodagh Reynolds, Jenny Clements, Joanna Hopkins
- Lighting Design - Peter Stevens
- Sound Design - Stevie Hughes
- Light & Sound Op - Rebecca Williams
- Props - Kay George
- Set Design - Graham Clements
- Publicity Design - Stevie Hughes
- BSL Interpreter - Paul Michaels
- Theatre Rep - Lisa Thomas
Reviews
Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
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See Also
References
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