Educating Rita

The delightful charm and humour of that much-loved play, Educating Rita, will be presented by HIT Productions at the Gardens Theatre in April.

Written by Willy Russell, who also gave us the crowd-pleasing Shirley Valentine, Educating Rita became an Oscar-winning film in 1983 starring the inimitable Julie Walters as the eponymous Rita and Michael Caine as Frank, the cynical English professor.

The story sees Susan, a hairdresser with a thirst for knowledge, deciding to do an Open University course, but nothing can prepare her for her teacher, Frank, who’s seen the bottom of too many whiskey bottles. But he’s very taken with Susan’s open-hearted yearning to learn and with Susan herself – who ends up changing her name to Rita. What ensues changes both of them dramatically in a type of Pygmalion story of self-discovery.

This new production from HIT Productions, a premier theatre touring company from Victoria, is directed by AFI Award-winning Director, Denny Lawrence (with TV credits as long as your arm) and stars Helpmann Award winner Colin Moody (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Gallipoli, Party Tricks) as Frank and rising stage star, Francesca Bianchi as Susan/Rita.

The company has previously staged the play in 2007, charming audiences and inspiring them to do it all over again with this funny and touching story.

Need to know – Some strong language, recommended for ages 15+

Nice to know - Tickets $20 for school groups of 20+

BUY TICKETS HERE

By Vicki Englund

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