What the Butler Saw

What the Butler Saw is a farce written by English playwright Joe Orton. It premièred at the Queen's Theatre in London on 5 March 1969. It was Orton's final play and the second to be performed after his death, following Funeral Games the year before. The play consists of two acts, and revolves around a Dr. Prentice, a psychiatrist attempting to seduce his attractive prospective secretary, Geraldine Barclay. His wife, however, is also being seduced and blackmailed by a Nicholas Beckett. She therefore promises Nicholas the post as secretary, which adds further confusion.

Performance history in South Africa
Presented by Don Hughes Productions at the President Theatre, Plein street, Johannesburg. Directed by Aubrey Berg ? (Year unknown).

Staged at The Space (Cape Town) in 1973, directed by Brian Astbury in his directorial debut, with Phillip Boucher, Bill Flynn, Ronald France, Christopher Prophet, Maralin Vanrenen and Jacqui Singer. John Nankin was the designer and the stage manager was Neville Burgess.

In 1979 a Company of Four production was directed by Leonard Schach featuring Keith Grenville, Grethe Fox, Diana Allen, Sean Taylor, Henry Goodman, Icky Kurgan. It was performed in the Concert Hall, Baxter Theatre.

PACT July 1991 at the Alexander Theatre.

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