Show: Orton – Fallen Angel
Location: Hope Street Theatre, Liverpool
Date: Tuesday November 30 2021
Time: 20.00
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Age Rating: 18+
This is our theatre review for Orton – Fallen Angel at Liverpool‘s Hope Street Theatre. So, let’s take a look at Orton – Fallen Angel!
Orton – Fallen Angel
Background
This new play from Grin Theatre Company re-imagines the turbulent relationship between the iconic gay writer Joe Orton and his partner Kenneth Halliwell.
Based on true events and incidents the play explores their lives together and what eventually tore them apart. Their love affair had a vicious life of it’s own that led to an act of violence that no one could have predicted.
The play includes very strong language, scenes of a sexual nature, nudity, moderate violence and references to suicide and mental health.
Analysis
This show was sold out by October 13, with the play was showing on November 30. Now if that isn’t a good sign I don’t know what is. I’ll be honest I didn’t really know too much of Joe Orton or his works before seeing this show. I’d heard his name and of Entertaining Mr Sloane, but that was about it. Not that I know more now, as this play wasn’t about Mr Orton or his short-lived but successful career. It was about the relationship between him and Kenneth Halliwell, an arduous and toxic relationship at best.
Terence Conchie played the part of Joe Orton tremendously well. Almost too well in fact. There were times when I loathed his actions. Sneering and egotistical traits were played with ease. Orton’s ability to shock and to speak about homosexuality so graphically were construed well. Audible gasps being heard from the audience on more than one occasion, when Conchie was describing Orton’s sexual flavours and conquests. There is no getting away from this. This is a graphic play. It’s full-on, but it’s largely necessary. We need to understand Joe; his quirks; his turn-ons; the essence of what made him tick. The graphic scenes and strong language play their part in that.
Questionable
I’m not sure if one of the scenes was necessary or not. In fact, I’m still debating about it back and forth and can’t make up my mind. It’s a scene where Illingworth undresses on stage and is brought forward as Conchie is describing the male form and homosexuality so frankly and honestly, which makes us as an audience connect with his psyche.
Then, Conchie admires the male form in relation to the naked body almost like a PowerPoint presentation. From there, he turns Illingworth around to present us with a full frontal. I don’t know how necessary this was, at least to such an extent. Now, I understand the premise of its requirement. However, it still leaves a suspicion as to whether it was at least, in part, to shock further. Which, in essence, was Orton’s MO.
Casting
Christopher Hogan plays Kenneth Halliwell in another excellent casting. Hogan made an excellent Halliwell. Played with grace, despair, infatuation and jealousy. We discover the ups and downs of their relationship. It’s mostly down. It isn’t a healthy relationship by any stretch of the imagination.
Turmoil, hatred and jealousy take over and we discover the extent of Halliwell’s mental state complete with his need for antidepressants. Halliwell battles with ‘The Voice’ on several occasions. The voice finally takes over in a graphic scene where Orton finally succumbs to his death. Conchie and Halliwell’s relationship onstage is not only believable but utterly convincing.
Set
The set was minimal with sparse props and basic lighting. This was the right decision, in my opinion. The script is word-heavy. Not in a bad way, but there’s a lot to tell. With the lack of distraction a flamboyant set could provide, you hone in on the actors, the gripping story and the emotional portrayal of both Halliwell and Orton. Light relief comes from Taylor Illingworth and Keegan Dixon.
You don’t realise it’s necessary, but it really is. I would just like to add here that Illingworth and Dixon, although making up the entirety of the ‘ensemble’, were just as important as the two main ‘principles’. They added light relief with Dixon playing the deplorable Edna Welthorpe and Illingworth playing many of Orton’s conquests and the derobed man in the aforementioned scene. This cast was strong and all stood out equally.
Pace
The whole play has a good pace, although some scenes could do with editing and tightening up. They seemed a little long at times, as 90 minutes is quite a time without an interval. But I feel a break would interrupt the pace of the show, so I’m not quite sure what the answer is here.
Hope Street Theatre is a great venue, but also awkward when people start to peel off for loo breaks etc. This was quite disturbing at times and so were people on their phones. But I have a whole other opinion on theatre etiquette and now is not the time for it.
Summary Of Orton: Fallen Angel
Orton: Fallen Angel is a superbly written and well delivered portrayal of Joe Orton and Kenneth Halliwell’s relationship. It explores the toxic and turbulent levels a relationship can reach, complete with its morbid demise. A sterling effort from a clearly capable cast and company. I can’t wait to see what else they have in store. Don’t miss out when this play comes to the Epstein Theatre in January 2022!
Notes
Target Audience: 18+
Content: Very Strong Language, Scenes Of A Sexual Nature, Nudity, Moderate Violence & References To Suicide & Mental Health
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 9/10 – Outstanding
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Did you see Orton – Fallen Angel? Let us know by leaving a comment below! You can book tickets to see this show at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre here for it’s 3-day run in January 2022.
