Educating Rita

By Willy Russell and directed by Ken Hann

Performed at the Maskers Emsworth Road Studio from 10th to 15th March, 2008

Notes from the Director

Educating Rita was first performed by the RSC in 1980 and has been a firm favourite ever since.

The play explores the relationship between two people of different cultures and different academic backgrounds who meet with what seems to be a common purpose. The influence is not, however, all one way. Rita has as great an impact upon Frank as he does upon her, perhaps even more so. They often don’t understand each other but each fills a need in the other. Their interplay and repartee bring brilliant humour to very serious issues.

Willy Russell makes their discussions both engaging and entertaining. He decided to update the script in 2003 to ensure it remains relevant to a twenty-first century audience. It is this revised script that you will see tonight.

The play is as fresh and vibrant in 2008 as it was when first performed twenty-eight years ago.

Ken Hann

Cast

Production Team