Educating Rita By Willy Russell

Southend Drama Society is proud to present Educating Rita by Willy Russell. Life-long academic Frank is a tutor of English and a frustrated poet. His disillusioned outlook on life has driven him to drink and bury himself in his books. To fund his thirst, Frank agrees to take on an Open University student. Enter Rita – a forthright hairdresser who knows she’s out of step with her family and friends. There’s more to life than cutting hair and Rita is not prepared to settle for what she’s already got. After weeks of cajoling and proving her hunger to learn, Rita slowly wins over Frank with her innate insight and refusal to take no for an answer. Their relationship as teacher and student blossoms, giving Frank a new sense of life and Rita the knowledge she so desperately craves. Willy Russell’s Educating Rita offers a witty and poignant look at a working-class woman’s efforts to better her social circumstances through the pursuit of a university degree – and the potential pitfalls it exposes. This amateur production of Educating Rita is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.