"What the Butler Saw" is a two-act farce written by the English playwright Joe Orton. He began working on the play in 1966 and completed it in July 1967, just one month before his death. The play opened at the Queens Theatre in London on March 5, 1969. It is set in an examination room in a private clinic and revolves around a couple's successful extracurricular seductions and their frantic attempts to hide their conquests. The play is known for its intense humor and sexually charged atmosphere.
The plot of "What the Butler Saw" centers around a doctor in a psychiatric home, Dr. Prentice, who tries to seduce the woman he wants for a secretary, Geraldine Barclay. The play explores themes of sexual desire, deception, and the absurdity of human behavior. Other key characters include Mrs. Prentice, Nicholas Beckett, Dr. Rance, and Sergeant Match.
The title of the play alludes to the seaside slot machines that allowed viewers to furtively watch a woman undress, suggesting a saucy sex comedy. However, Orton's work is a savage satire that remains relevant today, addressing issues such as rape and power dynamics.
