Calling all StageSiders, welcome back to another review. This time around I am talking about What The Butler Saw, and we were invited to the press night for this show by Darlington Hippodrome. The play is running until the 22nd of June, with seats still available. You can also make us of the Lucky Hipp seats on offer, for £15. The production is presented by London Classic Theatre, with previous productions such as Abigails Party. The evening was filled with mixed emotions. Settle in, as the review is about to begin.
Disclaimer: We were invted to see this show, and were gifted 2 tickets in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger Warning: The word, description or depiction of rape, sexual assault and discriminatory language is used throughout this production. This review does recap on some of these elements.
While the talented cast managed to extract genuine giggles from the audience, the dated and problematic script ultimately overshadowed their efforts.
Joe Orton’s What The Butler Saw is a farce known for its provocative humour and chaotic plot. I found the play was struggling to resonate with contemporary sensibilities. The script, with its reliance on racist language, homophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic dialogue, often crossed the line from “non-PC” to offensive. Particularly jarring was the casual use of the word “rape,” which, instead of invoking any meaningful reaction, felt overused and stripped of emotional weight. This heavy-handed approach made the characters less relatable and undermined any potential for deeper connection with the audience.
Despite the script’s flaws, the performers of London Classic Theatre’s company delivered their roles with such dedication. Each actor brought a unique energy to the stage, and demanded attention with impressive commitment. Their ability to maintain comedic timing and deliver punchlines, even amidst some of the more troubling content, was a testament to their skill and professionalism.
The second half of the play, however, descended into a ridiculous whirlwind that left me bewildered and questioning the whole evening. The direction seemed to embrace the chaos, but without a clear reason, or some sort of contextual anchor, the result was more confusing than captivating.
Visually, the production was intriguing. The set, while interesting to look at, did little to enhance the context of the play. It felt more like a backdrop than a contributing element to the storytelling. Similarly, the props, though quirky, seemed somewhat disconnected from the overall narrative, adding to the sense of disarray rather than complementing the action.
Credit must be given to the creative team and the actors for their effort and hard work. It was evident that a great deal of passion and dedication went into bringing this production to life. However, this production was a bit of an uphill struggle against a script that feels increasingly out of touch with modern values, visions and contexts. I do not feel like the script should be modernised, but I do feel that the archaic language and attitudes were spread so thick, that the play didn’t seem to have much of a reason or a story to tell.
Overall, London Classic Theatre’s rendition of What The Butler Saw showcased the talents of its cast and crew, but ultimately, the offensive and outdated nature of the script overshadowed their efforts. I think reviving the text with a focus on more contemporary issues would have been interesting, but the use of specific language within this production made medisconnect with the characters, and indeed the play.
I would give this production two out of five stars. The audience that were in were laughing along, but I feel like this is probably reflective of the age range. As the youngest audience member in there, I felt out of place and like a target. The older generation seemed to laugh merrily to the content of the play. Perhaps I was not the audience for this production.
Have your say!
Have you seen What The Butler Saw? What did you think? Let me know in the comments and let’s get a discussion going.
As always, please be respectful of each other’s opinions and be kind to each other. I completely respect and value everyone that worked on this show. We need to remember that these are people with feelings. Let’s treat them with respect. Bullying will not be tolerated and harmful language will be removed.
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Alyx Taylor-Scott