Review: EDUCATING RITA, Reading Rep Theatre
Photo credit: Harry Elletson
Reading Rep’s latest season of plays shows a growing maturity and commercial appeal in its programming that is exciting and welcomed. After the excellent revival of their version of A Christmas Carol set in Reading, and before they stage Noel Coward’s Private Lives in April and John Godber’s Teachers in June, they present Willy Russell’s brilliant witty 1980 play Educating Rita this month.
It seems so appropriate a choice with its delightful debate about the value of culture and arts on self-development and self-fulfilment, and on personal growth through education and critical analysis. If Reading Rep is to grow and develop and connect with more of its local community, it must break down the barriers and educate them like Rita on the value and meaning of theatre.
The two-hander is a wonderful examination of critical analysis of poetry, literature and plays, and packed with allusions to famous writers and clever one liners. When Rita turns up at Frank’s office to start an Open University course, they seem to be opposites. He is a disillusioned drunken failed poet who has only taken on the job to pay for more booze, and she is a working-class hairdresser from Liverpool determined to better herself. When he says, “Do you know Yates” she replies, “The wine lodge?”, and he retorts ,”the poet WB Yates”. He then explains that “there is no such thing as bad language, just bad use of language“. And so, begins a journey of discovery for them both as she finds herself and he finds her personality appealing and challenging. The battle of words between them sees a shift of power as they becomes equals in the debates and ultimately, she takes control of their relationship.
Madelyn Smedley is superb as the twenty-nine-year-old Rita (nee Susan). From her first appearance bursting through the door into the tutorial room, we are smitten and quickly forget the comparison with Julie Walters who played the role so memorably in the 1983 film. She is authentic, honest and charming and wants to “learn everything” even if she is being “taught by a beginner” (she is Frank’s first OU student). But she is beautifully matched with Julius D’Silva’s world weary Frank who quickly realises that she is “quite, quite different” and wonders “What can I teach you?”. It sets the tone for the succession of quick scenes that follow over the course of a year as we see her grow in understanding and confidence, and Frank teeter from drunken self-destruction to flirty temptation as he recognises her as an “irresistible thing like you”. The comic lines are beautifully delivered with just enough pauses and facial reactions to allow us to enjoy Willy Russell’s wit and literature allusions.
The excellent box set by Cara Evans is filled with lovely 1980’s touches; the typewriter, the radio, a globe, desk phone and an angle poise desk light, and director Annie Kershaw uses the space well with the two circling each other like caged animals using every corner of the room to vary the action and show their evolving relationship. The first act does feel a little over long, and we might have seen some change of costumes over the period of their meetings but the verbal battle between them keeps us engaged and enjoying their growth as people. The second act is quicker as Rita returns from summer school with a newfound confidence and understanding, and starts to take control of her own development as they become equals in the battle of words.
Frank asks Rita, “Have you ever seen Chekhov in a theatre?” to which she replies “No, does he go?” . Well Besties, we think you and Chekhov should go and see this at Reading Rep as you will enjoy the clever writing and the touching performances. It shows how literature and theatre can have an impact on our lives and that older theatregoers in particular need to encourage the next generation to experience the joy of live performance as it can change your understanding of the world and yourself. It demonstrates that the answer to the question “how do you solve the staging problems of Peer Gynt”, is not “put it on the radio”, but put it on a stage with a creative team and cast that know the value and meaning of culture and the power of live theatre as Reading Rep is showing us it does.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Nick Wayne
Educating Rita plays at Reading Rep Theatre until 21 March, with further info here.