ORTON, Joe ~ Entertaining Mr Sloane.

FIRST UK PRINTING. Hamish Hamilton, London: 1964.

8vo, dark green boards lettered and lined in silver to spine with publisher's device to foot; together in the photographic dustwrapper (unclipped, 12s. 6d. net) featuring a photograph by Lewis Morley of Peter Vaughan, Dudley Sutton and Madge Ryan; THE BOOK near-fine, slight mottling to endleaves and bruising to spine tips; otherwise clean and bright; THE WRAPPER also near-fine, just a touch of creasing and shelf-wear. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. First UK edition, first printing. The fourth play by the controversial playwright Joe Orton, which was completed by him in 1963 and sent to theatre agent Peggy Ramsay later that year. The plot follows a lonely landlady, Kath, her batchelor brother, and their lodger, Mr Sloane, a shady young criminal with whom they become infatuated. In 1964, it premiered at the New Arts Theatre in Westminster on 6 May 1964, and was produced by Michael Codron. A series of mixed reviews followed, which ranged from praise to outrage. Despite being a financial flop, the praise of playwright Terence Rattigan, along with a £3000 investment, led to the play's survival, and it is perhaps because of this that it is now thought of as one of his breakthroughs. The play later appeared in New York, Spain and Australia, and was made into 1970 film starring Beryl Reid.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine
JACKET: Near Fine