OUTRAGEOUS Joe Orton comedy, Entertaining Mr Sloane opened yesterday (Thursday) at The Courtyard arts centre in Hereford, for a run that will last until Saturday, June 15.

The cheeky production has also put out some cheeky publicity material.

A strategically placed copy of the Ledbury Reporter, sister paper of the Malvern Gazette, was used to preserve modesty and decency, at one of the promotional shoots.

Entertaining Mr Sloane was penned by Orton some 38 years ago, at the start of his tragically brief writing career.

This latest production is directed by Jonathan Stone, who said: "Entertaining Mr Sloane scandalised the British public in the Sixties, and it will probably raise a few eyebrows in Herefordshire now."

Described by some Sixties critics as "a smelly spectacle" and "a singularly unattractive play", Mr Sloane was banned in South Africa for having "the sprightly charm of a medieval English cesspool".

The amoral tone of the comedy can still be shocking. A murderer is protected by a brother and sister and shared for his nice smooth skin.

The box office number is 01432 359252.