Educating Rita
By arrangement with ORiGiN Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French Ltd
By Willy Russell
8th - 23rd March 2013
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The play follows the relationship between a young working-class hairdresser and Dr. Frank Bryant, a middle-aged university lecturer, during the course of a year.
Susan (who initially calls herself Rita), dissatisfied with the routine of her work and social life, seeks inner growth by signing up for and attending an Open University course in English Literature. The play opens as 'Rita' meets her tutor, Frank, for the first time. Dr Frank Bryant is a middle-aged, alcoholic career academic who has taken on the tutorship to pay for his drink. The two have an immediate and profound effect on one another: Frank is impressed by Susan's verve and earnestness and is forced to re-examine his attitudes and position in life; Susan finds Frank's tutelage opens doors to a bohemian lifestyle and a new self-confidence. However, Frank's bitterness and cynicism return as he notices Susan beginning to adopt the pretensions of the university culture he despises. Susan becomes disillusioned by a friend's attempted suicide and realises that her new social niche is rife with the same dishonesty and superficiality she had previously sought to escape. The play ends as Frank, sent to Australia on a sabbatical, welcomes the possibilities of the change.
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Director / Design: Steen
Stage Manager: Josh Nielsen
Technical: Steen & Nathan Corris
Set: Matt Power
Props: Lorelle Lee
Front of House: Elysia Viles & Kevin Caucher -
Rita / Susan - Lucy B. Worthington
Frank - Will Worthington