Since that first performance was produced in London at the New Arts Theatre in 1964, there have been thousands of productions staged of Entertaining Mr Sloane. In addition to hundreds staged in the UK, the play moved to the US, playing on Broadway at The Lyceum Theatre in 1965. This production closed however, after just 13 performances. The show has since been revived all over the UK and America. Beryl Reid (Kath in the film) joined Malcolm McDowell as Sloane in a 1975 production for a Joe Orton Festival at the Royal Court Theatre in London.
With all of those thousand of productions, there were thousands of actors seducing thousands of Kath's and Ed's as well. In the film, and in many of the stage versions, this seducing occurs with Mr Sloan only wearing his tighty whities. Although some productions had Mr Sloan in boxers, most stuck with the white briefs. Ina ddition to Malcolm McDowell, many well known actors took on the role, as well as many actors in local and smaller productions. I tried to hunt down as many productions as I could find, and below are some of my favorite (image wise) Mr Sloane's.
Adam Ant
Adam as Mr Sloane
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester (1984/1985)
Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell as Mr. Sloane
Beryl Reid as Kath
The Royal Court Theatre, London (1975)
Maxwell Caulfield
Maxwell Caulfield as Mr Sloane
Cherry Lane Theatre, New York (1981/82)
Sadly, I couldn't find a shot of Maxwell in his tighy whities, but anyone knows if there are production images form this production, please let me know.
Brad Davis
Brad Davis as Mr Sloane (Replacement for Maxwell Caulfield)
Barbara Bryne as Kath
Cherry Lane Theatre, New York (1982)
John Henry
John Henry as Mr Sloane
Chester Little Theatre, Chester UK 2015
Paul Cereghino
Paul Cereghino as Mr Sloane
Stage Door St. Louis, 2013
Alex Felton
Alex Felton as Mr Sloane
Julia Hills as Kath
Curve Theatre, Leicester, England, 2012
'I’ve just been naked today. We took some photos for a video montage at the beginning to place the characters and the history and the setting of 1964. The photographer said “It’d be quite good if you were naked at this point.” It’s good for the character. Sloane uses his body as his card, his weapon. So, there’ll definitely be some kind of action I’m sure. Well, Sloane should be a real gay icon, the stuff of gay fantasy. That’s what Joe Orton wanted. He said as much in his diaries.'
3 images above by Pamela Raith
Emrhys Cooper
Emrhys Cooper as Mr Sloane
Olivia d’Abo as Kath
Ian Buchanan as Ed
The Actors Company Theatre, West Hollywood, 2011
'Entertaining Mr. Sloane” boasts impressive performances from it’s fine cast. Emrhys Cooper shines as Sloane in a sexually charged, nuanced portrayal. Ian Buchanan grounds the piece with a sharp and impressive turn as Ed. Olivia d’Abo is solid as the horny Kath, decked out in a fine wig and fat suit. Robin Gammell excels as the nearly blind old man whose subtle understanding of human nature proves to be his undoing.'
