ORTON JOE: (1933-1967) English playwright. A good, extremely rare A.L.S., Joe, one page, 4to, Tangier, Morocco, n.d. (´Saturday´; 1965), to Michael [White]. Orton commences his letter by asking ´What exactly is happening about "Loot"?`, and continues to remark ´I came out here ten weeks ago hoping that something would be done. It´s now three weeks before I return and, as far as I can see, we´re in exactly the same position as we were at Easter. Or January for that matter´, further adding ´Peggy [Ramsay] says the Court refuse to do the play. What about the Edinborough (sic) Festival idea?.....What about the Art´s Theatre in September idea? I suppose the play will be done this year? Can´t you give me any news at all?´ and concluding by writing ´Other plays (far inferior to "Loot") are put on all the time. What´s the use of writing for such a wretched medium?´. A letter of good content relating to Orton´s third major production, the black comedy Loot. Autograph letters of Orton are extremely rare as a result of his tragic murder at the young age of 34. Some light creasing and a few small, very minor tears to the edges, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG

Michael White (1936-2016) British theatrical impresario and film producer.

Peggy Ramsay (1908-1991) Australian-born British theatrical agent who discovered Orton in late 1963 and represented the dramatist, and then his estate, for the rest of her life.

Orton's play Loot had opened in Cambridge on 1st February 1965 and was met with scathing reviews. The production starred Geraldine McEwan, Kenneth Williams, Duncan Macrae and Ian McShane and was directed by Peter Wood. Orton substantially modified the play and it was staged with some success in April 1966 at the University Theatre, Manchester, and the playwright continued with his modifications right up until its appearance in the West End in September 1966.