Entertaining Mr Sloane - Trafalgar Studios

SYNOPSIS

Entertaining Mr Sloane

Joe Orton’s Entertaining Mr Sloane is to be revived for London’s West End from January 2009. The play’s lead roles will be performed by West End debutant, Mathew Horne, who is currently enjoying success and excellent reviews for his role in BBC sitcom, Gavin and Stacey. His co-star is Academy Award nominated actress, Imelda Staunton, who was last seen in London’s West End at the Almedia Theatre in 2007.

Mr Sloane is a young, good-looking psychopath who begins the play by looking around Kath’s house. Kath is a middle-aged landlady who is immediately attracted to Sloane. Sloane becomes Kath’s lodger but trouble arises when Kath’s father, Kemp, recognises Sloane as the murderer of Kemp’s old boss. The situation isn’t made any easier with the arrival of Ed, Kath’s brother, who hasn’t spoken to Kemp since he was a teenager. Kath and Ed slowly entice Sloane into sexual liaisons but do they know what they’re letting themselves in for? Despite his good looks, Sloane isn’t the easiest of guests to ‘entertain’.

Entertaining Mr Sloane premiered in London’s West End in 1964 in a production directed by Patrick Dromgoole. The title role was performed by Dudley Sutton who is perhaps best known for his role as Tinker Dill in the television series, Lovejoy. Sutton reprised his role the following year in the Broadway production of the show, but the show closed after just 13 productions. The play was performed once again in 2005 in a reprisal by Roundabout Theatre Company; the production starred Alec Baldwin as Ed.

Mathew Horne, who will portray the role of Mr Sloane, began his career at the Edinburgh Festival in 2000, appearing as one half of the comedy duo Mat and MacKinnon. Catherine Tate was impressed with his work and this led to Horne’s regular appearances in the National Television award-winning comedy series, The Catherine Tate Show. Horne went on to appear in Channel 4’s series Teachers, as well as appearing in the BBC’s series Robin Hood. Horne portrays the title role of Gavin in the award-winning BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey. The show established Horne’s partnership with James Cordon; the duo will tour the UK in 2009 before the arrival of their BBC sketch show, Horne & Cordon.

Imelda Staunton will be performing the role of Kath. Staunton began her career in the theatre but enjoyed her best success as the title role in Mike Leigh’s film, Vera Drake. The performance earned Staunton nominations in the Best Actress category of the 2005 Golden Globe awards and the Academy Awards.

Entertaining Mr Sloane appears at the Trafalgar Studios from 22nd January 2009 until the 11th April 2009.