Educating Rita

SYNOPSIS

Educating Rita

The West End is no stranger to the work of Willy Russell, whose musical “Blood Brothers” continues its run in the capital after more than twenty years. So it is safe to say that his work has had a profound effect on British theatre and this is also demonstrated by two others pieces of work that will be running in repertoire at the Trafalgar Studios this summer. Educating Rita and “Shirley Temple” are both making the transition from the famous Menier Chocolate Factory in 2010 and, as a result, London theatre audiences will see once gain why Russell is one of the UK’s most renowned playwrights.

With Educating Rita, Russell touched on similar themes to “Blood Brothers”, such as issues of class, whilst also expanding into other areas and resulting in a thought-provoking and celebrated play. It was originally written at the end of the 1970s with the Royal Shakespeare Company commissioning the text for a premiere at the start of the 1980s. It would become an instant classic and today it is best known for the movie adaptation that starred Michael Caine and Julie Walters as Frank the Open University lecturer and Rita/Susan the down and out hairdresser.

The plot is set entirely within the confines of Frank’s office with the pair meeting for the first time at the start of the play and developing an affecting friendship and admiration for one another, despite their differing backgrounds. Though Rita (whose real name is revealed to be Susan) is attending the Open University to expand her knowledge, it is Frank who eventually learns more than he could have anticipated from the Liverpudlian hairdresser over the year-long course. Much of the play deals with their long-winded discussions on various themes, with their opinions influenced by their own backgrounds and experiences.

The actors set to appear in the current production are Tim Pigott-Smith as Frank and Laura Dos Santos as Rita. The former replaces Larry Lamb in the role from its staging at the Menier Chocolate Factory and he appears at Trafalgar Studios with a host of credits to his name, from his Laurence Olivier-nominated turn in “Enron” at the Noel Coward Theatre to work for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Dos Santos has appeared in “Look Back in Anger” at Jermyn Street Theatre and television shows like “The Bill”.

Educating Rita (in repertoire with “Shirley Valentine”) is at Trafalgar Studios 1 from Monday 26th July 2010 (previews from Thursday 8th July 2010) to Saturday 30th October 2010.