Educating Rita returns to Leicester in new production
Willy Russell’s comedy of classrooms and the class system, Educating Rita, is to be revived in a new production in Leicester theatre this autumn.
Bright-eyed twenty-something Susan 'Rita' White dreams of making more of her life. Armed with an interest in literature and unwavering determination, she enrols in the Open University, forming an unlikely friendship with disillusioned and dishevelled Frank – her self-proclaimed “appalling teacher”. Through their weekly tutorials, they challenge each other into a life-changing journey of self-discovery.
Hailing from Liverpool, Willy Russell is one of Britain’s most celebrated playwrights. With a career spanning over five decades, Russell’s plays and musicals include Blood Brothers and Shirley Valentine.
Educating Rita first premiered in 1980 at the Donmar Warehouse, with Julie Walters in the titular role. The play catapulted Walters to stardom and she went on to reprise the role in the 1983 film adaptation opposite Michael Caine, for which both actors earned respective Bafta and Golden Globe Awards, alongside Oscar nominations. Russell himself also received Bafta, Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for his screenplay.
Education Rita will run in Curve’s Studio Theatre from Saturday September 26 to Saturday October 17 and will be directed by Curve’s associate director Cara Nolan.
In a joint statement, Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said: “Rita has been a vibrant and vital part of our culture for the past 40 years and it’s always a pleasure to say hello to her again and see a new production of Willy Russell’s epoch-defining play.
“Russell is pretty unique in British theatre, as he has remained committed to celebrating working-class stories throughout his career. As these stories and characters feature less frequently on our stages and screens, it feels increasingly important these plays remain in the repertoire. Director Cara Nolan delivered a sensational production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in the Studio Theatre last year and we are thrilled Cara will now bring her insight and imagination to this great play.
“The very best of live theatre, Willy’s plays are hilarious, life-affirming and remain an electrifying plea for equality.”
Visit www.curveonline.co.uk or call 0116 242 3595 to book.