Playwright Joe Orton’s blossoming career came to a dramatic end when he was murdered by his lover Kenneth Halliwell in 1967.

To mark the 50th anniversary of his death, Medway Little Theatre is set to perform his final play, What the Butler Saw.

It was written shortly before Orton was bludgeoned to death with a hammer by Halliwell and is considered by many to be his finest and funniest piece.

Over his short career, Orton shocked and amused audiences with his black comedies.

What the Butler Saw is sure to have you laughing at the near-the- knuckle farcical goings on at a psychiatric hospital.

Doctor Prentice, (played by Barry Kearns) attempts to seduce unsuspecting Geraldine Barclay (Jess Hayhow), while she is being interviewed for a secretarial post.

Mrs Prentice (Jules Doe) returns unexpectedly with page boy Nicholas Beckett (Chris Johnson), and her husband panics in his efforts to cover his indiscretion. When Dr Rance (Ian White), arrives to carry out an inspection of the facility, the fun really starts.

Meanwhile Sergeant Match (Pawel Sosgórnik) tries to solve a matter of national importance, and the disappearance of certain parts of Sir Winston Churchill. Mark Erwin completes the cast with his cameo role as the clinic’s resident lunatic.

The show opened on Wednesday night with a special charity evening for the Medway Messenger's charity of the year, Medway Branch of Guide Dogs. The audience included guide dogs and guide dog puppies in training.

John Ferguson said: "The show was hilarious and the guide dogs and puppies were all exceptionally well behaved and some of them joined the cast on stage after the performance for a photoshoot.

"Medway Branch Committee would like to thank Medway Little Theatre for allowing them to attend their charity preview which also provided a useful indoor training exercise for the aspiring puppies."

The proceeds from the ticket sales and the raffle have been donated to the charity.

The comedy runs at the Rocheser High Street Theatre until Saturday, February 4.

It is unsuitable for younger audience members as the play contains scenes of semi-nudity and loud gunfire.

Tickets from www.mlt.ork.uk or on 01634 400322.