Nymphomania, transvestism, incest, blackmail and bribery are just a few of the ingredients of next month’s offering from Newport Playgoers.

What The Butler Saw was the last play by Joe Orton, a playwright who loved to shock. In fact, when it was first produced, this play appalled and enraged audiences with its blatant sexuality and attacks on authority and conventional morality.

Set in a private psychiatric clinic, this black farce features a range of zany characters including a naked bellboy from a nearby hotel, a young woman looking for a secretarial job who ends up used, abused, and naked, a philandering husband, a sexually hungry wife, and a doctor from headquarters who is crazier than everyone and sees sexual perversity in any situation.

“Orton used the new found freedoms of the 1960s to take a surreal look at the world around him, fusing witty word-play with a lunatic zeal,” says the play’s director Ray Stone. “This play, which many regard as one of the funniest ever written, still has the power to shock and have us roaring with laughter.”

What The Butler Saw’ is at the Dolman Theatre from 19 – 22 February at 7.15 pm, with an extra matinee performance on the Saturday at 2.30 pm. To book tickets call 01633 263670 or visit www.dolmantheatre.co.uk.

PICTURED: Dr Prentice (Chris Bissex) needs to be restrained by his assistant (Stuart Moss) when he tries to examine new secretary Geraldine (Chloe Williams) picture by Phil Mansell