Sir Ian McKellan and Stephen Fry Back Plans for Statue of Gay Playwright Joe Orton

Sir Ian McKellan and Stephen Fry have backed a campaign hoping to secure £120,000 to design and create a statue of famous gay playwright Joe Orton in his home city of Leicester.

The campaign is being led byDr Emma Parker along with members of Orton’s family.

“The idea that in Orton Square there should be a statue, a memorial to Joe Orton, is terrific,”McKellan said.

“Joe Orton has always been a hero to me, both in his work and in the authenticity, wit and wonder of his life,” added Fry.“A statue is a wonderful idea.”

Other celebrities have thrown their support behind the statue as well, with Alex Baldwin saying: “I have craved Orton’s writing for a long time, whether I’m sitting on stage or performing in the cast.

“There are no comparisons. He’s a true original. Half poet, half devil’s apprentice. I never tire of his wit, soul and anarchy.”

Orton had a brief but successful career, writing such plays as Entertaining Mr Sloane, Loot and What the Butler Saw, before being murdered by his boyfriend Kenneth Halliwellin 1967.

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