Joe Orton classic Loot at the Lantern

Emerging theatre company Big Teeth return to the Lantern this week with their second production, of Joe Orton's 1960s satire Loot. Big Teeth, comprising of graduate performers based in Liverpool, aim to give a chance to see modern classic works that are often discussed and critiqued, but not often seen live on local stages (their first show was Waiting for Godot). Joel Whitall from the company says: "Joe Orton’s unashamedly ludicrous Loot was lambasted for its shameful portrayal and satire of the church and the police when it was released in the sixties. Today, it is loved for its shameful portrayal and satire of the church and the police. On the back of recent policing scandals, and with our government unable to decide if it wants to be religious or not, ‘Loot’ couldn’t be more relevant. We, the public, only realise now what an icon the openly gay Orton was for his no-holds barred portrayal of middle-class, 1960s England." Big Teeth are calling their production, on at the Lantern on May 21 and 22, "a bombastic modern spin, that questions sexuality, spirituality and punctuality of the local councils". Founded in 2013 by Sean Kirkpatrick and Joel Whitall, they say their ethos is to make mainstream theatre accessible and to provide a platform for artists to gain vital experience to build Liverpool’s theatrical scene. Tickets for Loot can be purchased on the Lantern Theatre’s website or on the door. For more on Big Teeth, visit their Facebook page.