Educating Rta

As the information in your programme explained Educating Rita was a play about education, class and choice. Willy Russell was commissioned by the Royal Shakespear Company to write Educating Rita in 1979 to address ‘the cultural and educational issues of the time.’  It debuted at The Warehouse, London in 1980 and is now seen as a ‘modern classic, reflecting the struggles and aspirations of working-class individuals.’  The Pygmalion theme Russell uses in his writing still resounds today.

Your director obviously had a clear vision of her expectations of the production. Everything felt like it had been carefully structured. Every movement appeared to be precisely planned, every action and emotion had clear meaning. The pace was excellent with no inappropriate pauses.

St Austell Players had chosen to set this production in a new venue for them the entrance hall of the Wheal Martyn Clay Works. The large space had been transformed into Frank’s office. It contained a table with a comfortable office chair for the tutor and chair for the pupil. The said table had a typewriter, lamp and telephone of the correct era and a mug with pens and books on. On a shelf beside the table were a period transistor radio and tape player and what looked like the case for the typewriter. To the left of the table was a wooden coffee table with a tub style settee beside it. The most used pieces of scenery were the three bookcases, two on the shelf and a floor standing, glass fronted one beside the self-standing door in a frame set at stage right. Frank used these more usually to take out his hidden bottles of spirit rather than collect texts for Rita.  Through the door was a large wooden coat stand adorned with various clothes which during the performance we became aware that they were Rita’s numerous costumes. The set was ideal and the layout of the scenery ensured that there was plenty of room for the actors to interact.

To the back of the space behind the audience was set the sound and lighting desks which were expertly controlled by the technicians. Their skills added depth and clarity to the piece and the addition of popular music from the 1980’s many with thoughtful lyrics set the period of the play.

The range of costumes chosen for Rita were cleverly added to or changed completely for each scene by a dresser placed behind the door to Frank’s office.  They subtly mark her change of life and advances into her recently educated, middle-class world. Her accessories also added to the illusion. Frank’s shirts, ties and jackets were ideal for the 1980’s professor but personally I felt that although chinos were around at the time they were a different cut and the soles of his shoes were a little modern. His change into a cardigan in the final scene demarcated his change of circumstance.

This two-hander was set in a tutorial room, where although each character shared a common language, they spoke with different tongues.  The play had been portrayed by various well known skilled performers over the years and therefore your actors had big shoes to fill. They had to convey how the characters from very different classes with differing traditions and views on the world changed during the performance and the outcome of these changes. They both rose to the task splendidly and while doing so created their own well-rounded characters.  

Your actor portraying Frank created a brilliant multifaceted character showing his dissatisfaction with the role that had been foisted upon him and his academic role in the university.  His reluctance to tutor Rita was clearly depicted as were his growing feelings. His alcoholism was evident from the outset but the drunken scenes which can sometimes be overplayed, were maintained with a semblance of realism whilst being delivered. Using non verbal actions throughout he was able to demonstrate his disillusionment with all aspects of his life and frustrations with Rita’s confidence and growth as his influence was lessening.

Education to Rita was her way out of her present situation and the confines of her working-class background. Her present life as a Northern hairdresser, living with a husband who wanted her to have a baby and family and friends who saw education as class duplicity. This wasn’t what she wanted and she was determined that an Open University degree would achieve her expectations.  Your player was impressive she showed Rita’s growth from day one to the final scene where she was in total control and she delivered ‘I’ve got a choice’ with certitude. Her accent was on point throughout and it was wonderful to watch her confidence and stance grow between Act one and two.

Willy Russell’s aim with this play was to establish the power of education and self-discovery which your players were able to clearly demonstrate through their superb delivery of this performance.

Many congratulations to all involved both on and behind stage

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