"The satirical modern playwright, Joe Orton was born in 1933, in Leicester. In a short but prolific career from 1964 until his death, he shocked, outraged and amused audiences with his scandalous black comedies. "Ortonesque" is a term since been used to mean 'outrageously macabre'.

Orton achieved his first breakthrough in 1963. His play The Ruffian on the Stair, based on the novel The Boy Hairdresser, was accepted for television by the BBC, and his first full-length play, Entertaining Mr Sloane, was sent to an agent; both were presented the following year. Further successes included The Good and Faithful Servant, Loot, The Erpingham Camp, Funeral Games, and What the Butler Saw.

Leonie Orton-Barnett, Joe Orton's sister, explores Joe's life in Leicester, his leaving Leicester for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and his meeting Kenneth Halliwell."