Research, Thoughts and Essays is a section of the site where you can read articles, essays and research by Orton scholars and enthusiasts.

In 'Portrait of the artist as a young man', photographer Lewis Morley describes his experiences photographing Joe in 1965. His iconic portraits of key figures in the swinging sixties include Christine Keeler, Twiggy and Michael Caine. Dr James Methven, Dean of Oriel & Lecturer in English, Oriel College, Oxford writes on the subject of Sloane and Oedipus: Foundlings and Sex. Rose Collis' piece Joe Orton's Brighton looks at the links between the city and Orton. Framed is a touching portrait of Joe's father, William Orton, written by Joe's sister, Leonie Orton Barnett.

The Joe Orton and Me section contains personal views and experiences from those who worked with and knew Joe, or whose lives have been touched by him in some way. Contributors include noted Orton Academic, Dr Francesca Coppa, Leonie Orton Barnett, Shaun Knapp, researcher and marketing and events manager for the 'Ortonesque' exhibition held in Leicester in Spring 2007 and Braham Murray, creative director of The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, who directed Loot at the Century Theatre in Manchester in 1966.

Director David Grindley describes his 1998 Chichester Festival production of Loot, which transferred to the West End and there is a new contribution from the late Gerry Duggan (1910-1992), who played McLeavy in the 1966 London Traverse Theatre Company production of Loot.

The site will be updated on a regular basis so please keep visiting, or sign up to our e-newsletter for alerts on new works on Orton, performances and events.