[4] Despite being hugely successful and receiving positive reviews from both Irish and English critics,[3] the production sparked controversy when a member of the audience claimed to have seen a contraceptive produced during the performance.
[2] Simpson was arrested on May 21, 1957 on a charge of producing an indecent and profane performance for gain [5] and was incarcerated for one night at Bridewell.
[5] However, the costly legal proceedings had a devastating impact on Simpson both financially and personally [6] and eventually led to the closure of the Pike theatre in 1960.
[2] Between 1969 and 1976 he directed numerous productions including The Hard life, She Stoops to Conquer, The Quare Fellow and others.
[7] He also staged in several musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar in 1973 [8] and Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat at the Gaiety Theatre.