The Players Theatre’s interpretation of the Willy Russell play Educating Rita opens in Port Macquarie on April 20.
The play follows the relationship between a young Liverpudlian 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.
Directed by Julie Symons, Educating Rita runs from April 20 till May 6, on Wedesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. To book your seats, go to www.playerstheatre.org.au, order from The Players Theatre Box Office on 6584 6663 or buy one hour prior to the show at the door or from The Glasshouse Box Office 6581 8888
