butler_header

What the Butler Saw | July 31 – August 23

By Joe Orton
Directed by Brian P. Allen

When a psychiatrist invents a series of outrageous lies to cover up his attempts to seduce his young secretary, all manner of mayhem breaks out in the ward. Clothes are discarded, sensibilities skewered, and political correctness flouted in Orton’s risqué and ferociously playful farce.

Production Team

Allen_Brian_web
Brian P. Allen***
Director		 Bilodeau_Dan_webDan Bilodeau
Set Designer		 brown_kathleen_webKathleen P. Brown
Costume Designer		 Cecilia Grad School HeadshotsCecilia Durbin
Lighting Designer
tippin_rew_webRew Tippin
Sound Designer		 Meyers_jeff_web
Jeff Meyers*
Stage Manager		 nathan_melissa_webMelissa Nathan*
Asst. Stage Manager


Cast

Hoban_James_web
James Noel Hoban*
Dr. Prentice		 cartier_mark_web
Mark S. Cartier*
Dr. Rance		 Cormier_Denise_web
Denise Cormier*
Mrs. Prentice		 Emmons_Graham_web
Graham Emmons
Nicholas Beckett
waszak_max_web
Max Waszak
Sergeant Match		 doyle_anna_web
Anna Doyle
Geraldine

 

equity

*Member of Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

 

directors

***Member of the Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers.

 

 

What the Butler Saw Release

Reviews
Monmouth’s adult farce a risque ‘sidesplitter’
Monmouth’s ‘What the Butler Saw’ Delivers Laughs, Adult Humor

More pictures from What the Butler Saw

 

From the Director

“You know what psychiatrists are like, they take everything you say so seriously.” –Joe Orton

I am very excited to direct Joe Orton’s wildly funny What the Butler Saw as my debut with TAM. During the 1980’s I was a regular attendee to beautiful Cumston Hall, and some of my most memorable theater going experiences were here. Butler’s zany characters, wacky situations and the break-neck speed of the dialogue conspire together to make a fiendishly fun theatrical event. A perfect addition to any theatrical season especially one as varied and interesting as TAM’s.

What the Butler Saw premiered in London at the Queen’s Theatre March 5, 1969. It was Joe Orton’s final play and the second to be performed after his death in 1967. Originally, What the Butler Saw appalled and enraged audiences with its blatant sexual overtones, attacks on authority and conventional morality. However, most critics regard Butler as Orton’s finest play; and today, it is considered a contemporary classic.

I think Butler lends itself well to TAM. Trust and familiarity among the cast are necessary in order to make the split-second timing of the show work. The six actors need to breathe as one, and while that isn’t always easy to accomplish in a short summer repertory rehearsal period, TAM’s resident company atmosphere generates the environment required to pull off such a delirious farce.

Working on a show like Butler is a blast. I hope you will enjoy this madcap ride. I’ve had a ball!