Joe Orton (1 January 1933, Leicester, England - 9 August 1967, Islington, London), born John Kingsley Orton, was a satirical modern playwright.In a short but prolific career from 1964 until his death, he shocked, outraged and amused audiences with his scandalous black comedies. Ortonesque became a recognised term for outrageously macabre . Orton met Kenneth Halliwell at RADA in 1951, moving into a West Hampstead flat with him and two other students in June of that year. Halliwell was seven years older than Orton and of independent means, having a substantial inheritance. They quickly formed a strong relationship and became lovers, despite Orton's claims of sexual incompatibility. Neither did well in their two years at the academy, although Halliwell did rather worse earning a Certificate of Merit against Orton's Diploma. After graduating, both went into a regional repertory workshop.Plays Fred and Madge (written 1959) and The Visitors (written 1961) (both first published 2001) The Ruffian on the Stair (first performance 1964) Entertaining Mr Sloane (first performance 1964) Loot (first performance 1965) The Erpingham Camp (first performance 1966) The Good and Faithful Servant (first performance 1967) Funeral Games (first performance 1968) What the Butler Saw (first performance 1969) Up Against ItNovels Head to Toe (published 1971) Between Us Girls (published 2001) Lord Cucumber and The Boy Hairdresser (co-written with Halliwell) (published 2001) This is Wikipedia's blurb - offered up for convenience For more detailed and interesting info try-www.joeorton.org