Educating Rita

Educating Rita is very much a play of the 70s/80s; and comments on class constraints and education.

The set, Frank’s study, was perfect…crowded with books, battered furniture, papers and hidden bottles of spirits.

Costumes also had a lovely, period feel. Frank wore scruffy sweaters and sports jackets as befitted a jaded and alcoholic academic. Rita debuted in brash ’80s trash; but gradually her clothes and hair evolved into an attractive, natural style.

Lighting was generally good, except for the large, rear window. This stayed resolutely bright, no matter what time of day was on offer. Music was used sparingly and well.

Rita (played by Amy Putt) was lively and gobby, with superb comic timing and machine gun delivery. Rita gets all the best lines and I’ve never heard them better delivered. Overheard in the loo at the interval, “I’m a Liverpuddlian…she’s got a very good accent”.  Her determination and verve instantly shone out; and her evolution into the confident and self-aware Susan is sensitively handled.

Simon Coppen-Gardner’s Frank is cynical and world-weary and he consoles himself with alcohol. At first, he watches Rita/Susan’s enthusiasm and development with delight; but reverts to his old cynicism when he observes her compromises and pretensions.  He also displays a hefty dollop of jealousy at her burgeoning friendships.

The two characters worked beautifully together and the audience really cared about what happened to them.

Toby and Dan, The Silver Twins, insist that this is the first play that they’ve directed. They enthusiastically praise the support and advice they’ve been given; but, nevertheless, it’s a huge achievement of theirs and well up to DDOS’s high standard.

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