Places Links

For some he was a genius, and for others a controversial character. Now Leicester's most famous playwright is to be honoured in the heart of the city's new cultural quarter.

It won't be long before the curtains open at Leicester's new £60 million performing arts centre.

The Curve in Rutland Street will soon be opened and the vast open area directly outside the Curve has been given a name.

It's to be named after Leicester's most famous and controversial playwright Joe Orton

BBC Leicester's Julie Mayer went to the piazza to find out more.

Listen: Interview with Councillor Patrick Kitterick and Mike Candler from the Cultural Quarter Projects Team

Julie described the scene: "The spot where I'm standing is in the middle of the large, concrete-slabbed square which Leicester City Council has announced is to be known from now on as Orton Square.

"I'm not sure what Joe Orton would make of this honour.

"He was, of course, a playwright whose life was bound up in the theatrical world so it is highly fitting that this area right outside Leicester's brand new theatre be named in honour of the dramatist."

Julie started off by asking why was the playwright chosen.

Councillor Partrick Kitterick says it was about time the playwright's work was acknowledged.

"In Leicester we do a lot of things for our sons and daughters but we can do more.,

"I think naming Orton Square in front of the Curve Theatre is one of the ways to honour one of Leicester's most famous sons.

"I think if you look around you don't see a lot of tributes to him, so I think we are readdressing that problem."

A Controversial Figure

In a short but prolific career from 1964 to 1967, he amused audiences with scandalous black comedies including Entertaining Mr Sloane, Loot and What The Butler Saw.

He made a name for himself as one of the funniest satirists in British theatre.

But will the decision be accepted by the larger public as the talented playwright was a controversial figure?

Mike Candler says he hopes it will: "I would think so. Great art reflects the time it's made in. Joe Orton is a testament to that. The Curve is about making new work that is appropriate for the people of Leicester, Joe Orton did that back in the 60's."

Joe was born in Clarendon Park Road - less than two miles in 1933. The name given him at birth by his parents, William and Elsie, was John Kingsley Orton and he was the eldest of four children - Douglas, Marilyn and Leonie.

The family moved when Joe was two to the city's Saffron Lane estate. He attended Clark's College having failed the 11-plus.

And at the age of 16 he started his first-ever diary - which he continued to keep for the remainder of his all-too-short life.

Seeking fame and excitement, Orton joined the Leicester Amateur Dramatic Society, Leicester's premiere theatre group, and two other groups - The Vaughan Players and The Bats Players. 

It's being seen as a fitting memorial to Orton who penned a number of satirical dramas which summed up the swinging sixties and won him public acclaim. But the Leicester lad's fame and success were short-lived as he was murdered by his lover and mentor, Kenneth Halliwell in 1967 at the age of 34.

Julie asked them both if he was the first choice.

Mike said there were others shortlisted, but the decision to name it after Joe Orton was a popular choice.

Councillor Kitterick added that all ideas were welcomed in exactly how to commemorate the playwright and were keeping an open-mind at this stage.