Educating Rita

Educating Rita is one of Willy Russell’s most enduring and well‑loved plays, made famous by many actors and actresses, including Michael Caine and Julie Walters.

Max Davies directed this production, and everything felt meticulously considered. Every movement carried meaning, including the well‑thought‑out set with its hidden bottles of drink for Frank.

Richard Herring took on the role of Frank, while Anna Morris played Rita. For me, the key to both roles is how the characters change throughout the play, and I really enjoyed watching their journeys unfold.

Anna portrayed Rita as someone desperate for a life change. The way she held herself shifted noticeably between Act One and Act Two, and you could see her confidence grow. Her costume changes also reflected her development and increasing self‑assurance.

Richard conveyed Frank’s dissatisfaction with his academic life, as well as his growing feelings for Rita. I thought he handled the ending particularly well, showing Frank’s frustration with Rita’s newfound confidence in the academic world.

The set was excellent — it felt like a genuine academic study, yet still allowed plenty of space for the characters to move and interact. As mentioned, the bookcases doubled cleverly as hiding places for Frank’s alcohol.

Overall, this was a great production: well-acted, carefully crafted, and true to the heart of the play. Educating Rita is all about the evolving relationship between Rita and Frank, and both the director and actors kept that at the centre of the performance.

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