To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Joe Orton (1933-1967) University of Leicester academic Emma Parker and filmmaker Chris Shepherd launched a project in 2017 to honour the legendary Leicester-born writer.
They made a short animated film inspired by the prank letters of complaint that Orton penned under the pseudonym ‘Edna Welthorpe’. They commissioned acclaimed writers and artists to pay tribute to Orton’s subversive comic genius by writing new Edna Welthorpe letters. They also launched a creative writing competition to teach young people about Joe Orton and satire.
The film was screened and the letters were read at Latitude Festival and at a special event at The Little Theatre, Leicester, on 9 August 2017.
Yours Faithfully,
Edna Welthorpe (Mrs)
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Joe Orton (1933-1967) University of Leicester academic Emma Parker and filmmaker Chris Shepherd launched a project in 2017 to honour the legendary Leicester-born writer.
They made a short animated film inspired by the prank letters of complaint that Orton penned under the pseudonym ‘Edna Welthorpe’.
They commissioned acclaimed writers and artists to pay tribute to Orton’s subversive comic genius by writing new Edna Welthorpe letters.
They also launched a creative writing competition to teach young people about Joe Orton and satire.
The film was screened and the letters were read at Latitude Festival and at a special event at The Little Theatre, Leicester, on 9 August 2017.
FIND OUT MORE
Links to further information about Joe Orton and Edna Welthorpe, including interviews with renowned actors, directors and writers.
View a specially-designed resource for teachers and students.
Links to further information about Joe Orton and Edna Welthorpe, including interviews with renowned actors, directors and writers.
Text by Emma Parker, images from Chris Shepherd’s film ‘Yours Faithfully, Edna Welthorpe (Mrs)’.
Thanks to Leonie Orton and the Estate of Joe Orton for kind permission to use the
Edna Welthorpe letters and material from the Joe Orton Collection at the University of Leicester.
This project was funded by the University of Leicester and Arts Council England.
Text by Emma Parker, images from Chris Shepherd’s film ‘Yours Faithfully, Edna Welthorpe (Mrs)’.
Thanks to Leonie Orton and the Estate of Joe Orton for kind permission to use the Edna Welthorpe letters and material from the Joe Orton Collection at the University of Leicester.
This project was funded by the University of Leicester and Arts Council England.