EDUCATING RITA, Russell, Derby till 1 March

EDUCATING RITA: Willy Russell
Derby Playhouse
1 February – 1 March
Audio Described: 22 Feb 2.30, 26 Feb 7.30
Singed: 22 Feb 2.30, 27 Feb, 7.30

Runs: 2h 40m, one interval
Review: Rod Dungate, 7 February 2003

Humanity shines through, engaging and thought provoking
Plays don't exactly change to fit the times but they do look different. Seen 20 odd years on the play seems less about a young woman struggling for her right to be herself and more about a young person who finds their way through the faith and value they have in education. It is hard to avoid the question 'Has education become devalued now?'

Russell's play stands up well: it's humanity carries it and it has lost none of its power to engage. Director, Karen Louise Hebden, chooses a leisurely pace and the play gently blossoms.

Rita's journey into knowledge, her finding of her false self first and then her finding of her real self is genuinely moving. Maxine Fone's Rita is engaging – we can easily see how tutor Frank falls for her. At times she is very powerful – nowhere more so than when explaining the ironies in the term working class culture. Her final scene is beautiful – here is Rita, poised and at ease with herself. Fone brings home Russell's point with a sure fire aim – 'I'll choose.' This is the true value of education – it opens up the empowerment of real choice.

Christopher Ravenscroft, as tutor Frank, has a great ease about him. His own emotional journey is less clear cut than Rita's: Ravenscroft handles it with consummate skill. He really inhabits this character.

Frank: Christopher Ravenscroft
Rita: Maxine Fone

Director: Karen Louise Hebden
Design: Steven Richardson
Music: Stephen Edwards
Lighting: Alexandra Stafford
Sound: Adam McCreedy

2003-02-09 14:27:53