Just Three Days Left to See Orton's Controversial 'Loot'

Director Daniel Bourque and the Hub Theatre Company of Boston show audiences that a theatrical crime can pay with their production of Joe Orton's "Loot," for a few final performances, Friday, April 10 - 12 at First Church In Boston (66 Marlborough Street). Best of all every ticket is Pay-What-You-Can.

Audiences were outraged by Orton's satirical farce about a corrupt police force, sex, death and Roman Catholic Church in the age of flower power when it first appeared on the British stage in 1964. Many considered it a flop. But the controversy was actually an asset to the show. (Not surprisingly Orton himself was creating much of the fuss under the alter ego of Edna Welthorpe, an elderly theatre snob.) After several rewrites the play was remounted and now it has been produced several times in New York and London -- it has even been made into a feature film.

"Loot" follows the fortunes of two bisexually inclined, young thieves, Hal (C. J. David) and Dennis (Kevin Paquette). Crime is a subject with which Orton was familiar, since by the time of production Orton had already spent time in jail (for vandalizing library books no less).

After Hal McLeavy's mother dies, the pilfering pals decide to rob a bank next to the funeral parlor where Dennis works. Money and bodies (living and dead) bounce around as the buddies attempt their heist with the help of the sexy, seven-time widow Nurse McMahon (Meredith Stypinski). The money even takes a sojourn in Mrs. McLeavy's coffin.

To make matters worse, Inspector Truscott (John Geoffrion) comes on to the scene and the lads must lure him off their tails. (This character was inspired by the trial of the infamous police detective Harold "Tanky" Challenor, notorious for his brutality and planting of evidence.)

Orton's razor sharp wit is snappy as ever in IRNE award nominee Bourque's dark and irreverent production, which actually takes place in the chapel of a church.

Critics are calling the show "on the money," and Stypinski stands out with her keen accent, dry delivery and seductive style. Another highlight is Paquette, the treasure of the Circuit Theatre Company, never missing a beat by playing butch to the adorable David's boys-will-be-boys sex appeal.

Theatre may not be as scandalous as it was back the 1960s, but the Hub Theatre company is working to keep that revolutionary spirit alive.

"Loot" runs through April 12 at First Church in Boston (66 Marlborough Street). All tickets are Pay-What-You-Can and may be purchased via www.hubtheatreboston.ticketleap.com. For more information please visit www.hubtheatreboston.org.