Loot: the not-so-shocking farce

Loot, the dark farce written by murdered playwright Joe Orton, celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the Lincoln Company has brought a new revival to the Fringe. The plot follows young thieves Hal and Dennis who, in the run up to Hal’s mother’s funeral, concoct a plan to stash their ill-gotten gains in the coffin. As Inspector Truscott arrives to investigate, farce ensues.

While the play’s jabs at Catholicism and the police were outrageous in 1965, they are thoroughly un-edgy to a modern-day audience. However, the production still holds together well; the Lincoln Company’s young cast are a fine ensemble, and, as with the best of farces, the laughs come faster as the play goes on.

Christian Butler is a writer and musician based in London.

Loot is at C Venues – C until 31 August.