'Malicious Damage: The life and crimes of Joe Orton and Kenneth Halliwell in Islington'.
Islington Museum - FREE
14 October 2011 – 25 February 2012

In 1962 the aspiring playwright Joe Orton and his partner and mentor Kenneth Halliwell, who lived together in Islington, were each sentenced to six months imprisonment for malicious damage to Islington Public Library books. The offenders were found guilty of stealing and 'doctoring' library book covers with images from other sources or by adding new text and narrative. They also removed illustrations from library art books to 'wallpaper' their bed-sit at 25 Noel Road. During imprisonment Joe Orton embarked upon what was to be a successful but all too brief writing career, cut short by his murder at the hand of his jealous partner. Malicious Damage tells the story surrounding the crimes of Orton and Halliwell and, for the first time at Islington Museum, offers the opportunity to view all of the surviving doctored book covers along with other material reflecting the life and work of the pair. 'Malicious Damage' is also the title of a new book about Orton and Halliwell to be published by Islington Library and Heritage Services and Donlon Books later in the year.
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RELATED EVENTS
For more information please call 020 7527 7988

Writers and Artists in Islington
Guided walks by CIGA guides Jacqueline Taylor and Myra Morgan
As part of the temporary exhibition ‘Malicious Damage’ which features the collages of Joe Orton and Kenneth Halliwell, this guided walk follows in the footsteps of Orton and other notable writers, illustrators and artists who for centuries have found refuge and inspiration in Islington’s respectable and not so respectable streets and byways.
Meeting place:Angel Underground Station ticket hall
Cost £6 (£5 concession) - No booking required – just turn up
FINAL DATE: Sunday 15 January 11am

Malicious Justice
The retrial of Joe Orton and Kenneth Halliwell
Date: Friday 27 January 2012
Time: 6.30-8.00pm at Islington Museum.
Tickets: Admission Free

In 1962, writer Joe Orton and his partner Kenneth Halliwell were each sentenced to six months imprisonment and fined for stealing and ‘maliciously’ damaging Islington Public Library books. The court case made national headlines but was it right to put them on trial? Were their sentences too long and was there a miscarriage of justice? Joe Orton later suggested that the lengthy sentence was given because “we were queers.” Fifty years later come along to witness an exclusive retrial of these two infamous Islington residents and to debate and discuss answers to the above questions.

‘Malicious Justice’ will be conducted against the backdrop of Islington Museum’s current exhibition, ‘Malicious Damage’, which show-cases the surviving defaced book jackets. The retrial will examine facts presented in the original case but will apply modern day criminal procedures; the library book covers on display will act as crucial evidence To add further authenticity to proceedings, practicing legal professionals, including criminal lawyers and a circuit judge, will contribute to the evening’s debate. Members of the audience will also be invited to voice their thoughts about this still controversial case.

Admission is free but seating is limited. It is therefore advisable to arrive early to ensure a place at the event.

Writer and Theatre Critic John Lahr with Psychoanalyst Don Campbell
Date: Thursday 9 February 2012
Time: 7-8.30pm at Islington Museum.
Tickets: £8/£4 (unwaged/low-waged concession)
Click here to buy tickets online

Rowan Arts presents writer John Lahr in conversation with Don Campbell. Among Lahr's 18 books are 'Notes on a Cowardly Lion: The Biography of Bert Lahr' and 'Prick Up Your Ears: The Biography of Joe Orton'. John Lahr is also senior drama critic of The New Yorker, where he has written about theatre and popular culture since 1992.

Don Campbell is a past President of the British Psychoanalytical Society, former Secretary General of the International Psychoanalytical Association, and served as Chairman of the Portman Clinic, a National Health Service outpatient facility, where he worked for 30 years. He has written on the subjects of violence, suicide, child sexual abuse and adolescence.