John Lahr’s Diary of a Somebody will be the exciting second show in the Seven Dials Playhouse Spring 2022 season. Directed by Nico Rao Pimparé (The Start of Nothing, 2020; Rainer, Arcola Theatre; Candy, King’s Head Theatre) and presented in association with Seven Dials Playhouse, this dramatisation of The Orton Diaries chronicles the last eight months of notorious artist and playwright Joe Orton’s life. The diaries track Orton’s growing theatrical celebrity and the corresponding punishing effect it had on his relationship with friend and mentor Kenneth Halliwell who murdered him on 9th August 1967 and then took his own life. 

Diary of a Somebody first premiered at the National Theatre in 1986, directed by Jonathan Myerson, where the Evening Standard called it ‘perversely enjoyable’. The production at Seven Dials Playhouse will be Diary of a Somebody’s first London revival in 35 years. The play incorporates Orton’s words from his diaries, letters and literary fragments, as well as psychiatric reports. 

John Lahr, writer of Diary of a Somebody comments, the diary contained Orton’s unique merciless, hilarious voice (…) the diary, it seemed to me, could make an extraordinary first-person spine to a biography. Its well-written, unabashed observations held the drama of the grief, violence and absurdity Orton found in life—the dross his comic alchemy turned into theatrical gold. 

Darren Murphy, producer of Diary of a Somebody comments, I am thrilled to be bringing Diary of a Somebody back to a London stage, an absence of 35 years. With this being extra special for me as it is my first production in almost 2 years. The play is an extraordinary insight into the minds of one of our best loved playwrights, Joe Orton, and his turbulent relationship with his partner Kenneth Halliwell that ended tragically with their untimely deaths. Page | 2 

Seven Dials Playhouse opened in February 2022 with Steve directed by Andrew Keates. It seeks to provide opportunities for people to collaborate on bold, creative and high quality work while providing journeys of enlightenment and entertainment for artists and audiences alike. 

Mitchell Reeve, Executive Creative Producer at Seven Dials Playhouse comments, It is an honour and a privilege to finally open the doors of Seven Dials Playhouse with such a wonderful Spring 2022 season. It is a privilege to bring the story of Joe Orton back to the London stage after a 35-year hiatus with John Lahr’s Diary of a Somebody. I look forward to welcoming audiences to Seven Dials Playhouse this Spring and to see our very first season. 

Running Time 75 minutes straight through 

Box Office Tickets from £15 available at sevendialsplayhouse.co.uk or on 020 3841 6600 

Director Nico Rao Pimparé 

Producer Darren Murphy for Making Productions 

Writers John Lahr 

Production Designer Valentine Gigandet 

Lighting Designer Luca Panetta 

Sound Designer Andrew Avery 

Full Press Release