Educating Rita

by Willy Russell

Director
 Chris Hepher

Venue
 Harlequin Theatre
Redhill

Dates
13 - 16 June

Producer
Julie Madigan
 
Set Design
 Andy Bellinger
Randy and Jo Ellen Anderson

Stage Manager
James Croft
 
Wardrobe/Props
Sally Cranham
Anne Weaver

 Lights/Sound
Stephen Tickell
 

.Rita - Allie Coulson
Frank- Martin Kingston

  Willy Russell's witty and enduring comedy ‘Educating Rita’ is being performed at the Harlequin Theatre Redhill from Wednesday 13th – Saturday 16th June by the popular Reigate Amateur Theatrical Society (RATS). Celebrating their 30th anniversary year, RATS are promising a show that will be talked about long after their performance of this classic play.

Made famous by the film starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters, it has now been brought up to date by the playwright Willy Russell. ‘Educating Rita’ is a play about a Liverpudlian hairdresser who longs for freedom from the dreariness of her daily routine. Believing she can gain it by studying for a degree in English Literature from the Open University, Rita’s journey to enlightenment is inspiring.

Rita’s tutor is Frank, a bored university tutor and failed poet who has lost his way, in the process developing a fondness for drink. It falls to Frank to try to teach Rita about the wonders of literature as well as opening her eyes up to a life that she never knew existed - both of them are about to discover that a little learning can be a dangerous thing!

Educating Rita is the most famous example of the benefits of adult learning and comes from playwright Willy Russell's own personal experiences as a former hairdresser and his desire to better himself.

Directed by Chris Hepher, his cast and crew have been cooking up a production that is not only beautifully designed and with great performances; it will have audiences rolling in the aisles with laughter and will guarantee to move them.

  Rita is being played by Allie Coulson and Frank by Martin J Kingston; actors with real stage presence and with many years of acting experience and lead parts to their credit.  The Stage Manager is James Croft.

  RATS are well known for performing and breathing new life into classic plays, this performance of Willy Russell's 'Educating Rita' will not disappoint.