Review: Educating Rita at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Following the amazing success at the Minack Open Air Theatre, Cornwall, in August, which was widely reported worldwide, Olivier and Tony Award-winning producer David Pugh has brought Willy Russell’s critically acclaimed comedy, Educating Rita, to the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham. Performing daily until Saturday, 28th August, with two performances on the Saturday, this is a show you do not want to miss folks!

We invited local theatre enthusiast, Danielle Ellis, to check it out on behalf of Visit Cheltenham. Here is how she got on...

The story follows a young woman, Rita, who wants to get out of the rut she’s in. She married young, works in a hairdressers and is bored. She knows she’d uneducated and wants to better herself. She signs up for an Open University Course. She promises herself a new dress if she succeeds in her exam.

We see Frank, searching his shelves for a certain tome, only for him to retrieve a bottle from behind it - one of many. Drink is numbing him from what? We learn he’s a failed poet. At first he really doesn’t want to teach Rita, but bit by bit he begins to enjoy the task.

A series of meeting follows, all set in Frank’s tutorial room. Rita’s costumes change as she becomes more confident and knowledgeable. Frank wears the same clothes throughout, becoming more dishevelled. Rita’s accent at first broad and scouse, swearing at will. As she learns more it becomes more refined. Frank’s exasperation with Rita mellows to respect.

The dialog is fast, furious and clever. We become invested in the characters, Rita’s so likeable; Frank despite his drinking an engaging character. It’s fascinating to watch as their roles gradually reverse.

It was a superb performance from the two characters, Stephen Tomkinson tall and lanky with long hair and Jessica Johnson, petite and energetic. A mention also has to go to the set. Thousands of books on shelves line the walls evoking a familiar university tutorial room.

At the finish, the audience kept their applause going for a long time. We had experienced a wonderful play and the 90 minutes sped by. It’s hard to believe that this play was written 40 years ago. It is still fresh, relevant and very enjoyable. Don’t miss it!  It’s different to the film and I’d suggest even better.

With no interval, make sure you get your refreshments first to enjoy whilst enjoy whilst watching the performance.

Tickets are available to book at the Everyman Theatre box office.

Review by Danielle Ellis. Find Danielle on Instagram - @breadbakerdani