City honour for playwright Orton

The piazza is located in front of the new Curve theatre

A public square in Leicester's cultural quarter is to be named after one of the city's most famous playwrights.

The piazza outside the new Curve performing arts centre is to be named Orton Square after dramatist Joe Orton, who was known for his black comedies.

Orton was killed by his partner Kenneth Halliwell in 1967 at the age of 34.

Leicester City Council leader Ross Willmott revealed the new name at the council's cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

He said: "The cultural quarter and Curve will be one of the city's focal points, and I'm glad we're honouring Leicester's most notable artistic literary figure by naming the piazza after him."

Orton was born in Leicester in 1933 and grew up on the Saffron Lane estate.

Halliwell killed Orton with a hammer and then committed suicide with an overdose of sleeping pills.

Some of Orton's works included Entertaining Mr Sloane, Loot and What The Butler Saw.

The new £61m Curve theatre is due to open in November.

Joe Orton's sister, Leonie Orton-Barnett, added: "It is a real honour for Joe to be recognised in this way, and the whole family is delighted."