The Great British Comedy
Educating Rita was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and first performed in 1980 with Julie Walters as Rita. It has been revived many times with actors such as Con O’Neill, Lenny Henry and EastEnders’ Larry Lamb as Frank. Julie Walters also revived Rita in the BAFTA award winning 1983 film version, opposite Michael Caine.
Unlike that film adaptation, the original stage version of Educating Rita is a two-hander, featuring only Rita and Frank. Frank is a lecturer in English Literature at a Liverpool university. In his early fifties, he is well into a self-destructive spiral that he thinks whiskey will help him escape. Rita on the other hand is seeking to use knowledge and education to prevent herself following a similar path. She is unlike anyone Frank knows, and is as loud and chaotic as her first entrance.
The play follows the sometimes startling effect they have on each other over a year of Open University tutorials. It draws on themes common to author Willy Russell’s other work, which includes worldwide successes such as Shirley Valentine and the musical Blood Brothers. The British class system, its educational institutions, and personal freedom to change; all these and more are treated to Rita’s humour or Frank’s indignation as Rita turns to the OU in her search for a way to grow as a person. It turns out to be far from a one-way street, as Frank finds himself being taught a great deal by Rita along the way. Even the author’s own teenage experience as a ladies’ hairdresser gets some time in the spotlight.
Educating Rita is an absolute joy of a play, treating the audience to scenes that are serious, emotional, and laugh-out-loud funny - often all at once. In Frank and Rita, Willy Russell has created characters that are both loveable and loathable, but who keep the audience on side to the very end.
This production is a departure from Stage Two Downham’s normal schedule, appearing in an experimental summer slot. It is something of a passion project for Jen and Richard, and these Stage Two Downham stalwarts are looking forward to drawing the Downham audience along for the journey.
Cast
Tap to see more
Jen first performed with us back in 2013 in The Ghost Train. Since then, Jen has been involved in several Stage Two productions including The Admirable Crichton and A Bunch of Amateurs. Earlier this year she was Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion. She has also performed with other local societies including Blackburn Drama Club and CPCAODS.
Jen also loves musicals and has recently played the part of Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, and, in May 2023, Katie Brown in Calamity Jane, both with Blackburn Musical Theatre Company.
Jen is thrilled to play in a Willy Russell production as she went to the University of Liverpool so the city is a second home to her. She has a healthy appreciation and affection for “scousers” so she hopes she does them proud with her interpretation of Rita!
Richard’s theatre journey started in Clitheroe a little over ten years age. While he has been a Stage Two Downham regular since his first appearance in 2014’s Confusions, this is first appearance with us since our last pre-Covid production, A Bunch Of Amateurs, in which he played the main character of Jefferson Steel.
Richard also sings, both in musicals and with local barbershop quartet Wrong Direction. In 2022, he achieved a long held ambition to play Tevye in Fiddler On The Roof with Blackburn Musical Theatre Company, for which he received a NODA award - one of many for that production.
This is far from the first time Richard has shared the stage with Jen. That started with A Bunch of Amateurs, and includes Fiddler On The Roof, and Hangmen for for Blackburn Drama Club. More recently he has been back on the Clitheroe stage as René in ’Allo ’Allo!.
Interval Refreshments
In a first for Stage Two Downham, there will be a bar selling glasses of prosecco (and equally nice non-alcoholic alternatives) during the interval or each performance.
Pre-Theatre Meal at The Assheton Arms
We are delighted that once again The Assheton Arms in Downham will be offering a pre-theatre meal exclusively for Stage Two Downham ticket holders.
They will provide a two course meal for just £20, and will also make sure your meal is complete in time for you to make short journey to Downham Village Hall. Once you have bought your theatre tickets, call The Assheton Arms on 01200 439699 to reserve your table.
What was said...
...by the critics
Congratulations to everyone involved, on stage, off stage and behind the scenes. An extra bow must be reserved for our two performers - this was a tremendous achievement.
...by the audience
Well done to everyone involved. It was a huge and very intense thing to take on and it was done brilliantly.
A massive thank you to both of you & the backstage crew, what a fantastic performance!
What an amazing production, how did the actors remember all those lines! I enjoyed this production more than any amateur or professional show I have seen in years.
Absolutely loved it and clearly everyone else did too. A standing ovation on the first night says it all!! Well done Richard and Jenny on your superb performance.
The production was absolutely brilliant - a great evening out.
An unforgettable production that will live long in the memories of those who were fortunate to see it.
Two perfectly cast actors knocking this out of the park!
What a fantastic production. Loved it. Well done to everyone involved. Should be a two week run...I would definitely come again.
Loved it from the first to last minute
