KCPT presents racy romp “What the Butler Saw”
Joe Orton’s classic farce opens at Key City Playhouse on Friday June 26
Port Townsend, Wash.— Swinging London of the 1960’s
sets the scene for rousing farce as Joe Orton’s classic “What
the Butler Saw” opens on Friday, June 26 at Key City Playhouse
and runs through July 19. “Butler” is the third mainstage
production of the 2009 season for Key City Public Theatre and is
generously sponsored by Sirens Pub.
A comic romp intended for mature audiences, “What the Butler
Saw” features disappearances, disguises, cross-dressing,
seductions, mistaken identities, and the obligatory dropped
trousers.
As
the play begins, psychiatrist Dr. Prentice (Jay Page) interviews
Geraldine Barclay (Rebecca Wickens) for a secretarial position.
Claiming that a medical examination is required for the job,
Doctor Prentice asks the young woman to undress. Soon
interrupted by the arrival of his nymphomaniac wife (Denise
Fleener), an over-enthusiastic hospital inspector (Peter Wiant),
a blackmailing bellboy (Rob Lovato) and a dim-witted policeman
(Sam Cavallaro), the farce is underway.
The play also takes satiric shots at the psychiatric profession.
The New York Times commented, “The playwright Orton questions
our definition of madness, our faith in psychiatry, our respect
for authority. As funny as they are, Orton’s barbs and jests are
aimed at serious issues.”
The playwright himself added, “You know what psychiatrists are
like, they take everything you say so seriously.”
Director
David Hundhausen notes that there is no butler in the play. The
British phrase “what the butler saw” refers to a small “peep
hole” viewer that was popular early in the twentieth century
through which adults could peer at naughty pictures.
Key City Playhouse is located at 419 Washington St., Port
Townsend. Performances run June 26 through July 19. Curtain
times are Thursdays and Sundays at 7:00 p.m., Fridays and
Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. General admission is $15; $10 for
students.
Informal “AfterWords” discussions with members of the cast and
artistic staff will follow all Thursday performances.
For
the pay-what-you-wish performance on Thursday, July 2, advance
tickets are available at full price and donations are accepted
at the door for the remaining seats on a first-come, first-serve
basis. This evening is sponsored by the Port Townsend Arts
Commission to encourage accessibility to quality live theatre
for and by the community.
All advance ticket sales are handled by Quimper Sound Music and
Media, where you can purchase tickets in person at 230 Taylor
St., Port Townsend, or call 360-385-2454 with a credit card.
FLEXpass vouchers and gift passes may be exchanged for tickets
at Quimper Sound.
For more about the show or schedule, call the KCPT show info
line at 360-385-7396 or visit our
show page and calendar.