Educating Rita

Two people, one room, and a world between them.  To mark the 45th anniversary of Educating Rita’s first performance — held just down the road from Network Theatre — we are proud to present a special edition of Willy Russell’s beloved and hilarious two-hander.

Though separated by class and background, Rita and Frank share something deeper: a hunger for meaning, and a romantic view of lives lived on the other side of the  grass.  Their clash, full of humor and heart, reminds us that the desire to grow and change is universal.  Ideal for fans of sharp, character-driven drama, the show highlights the wit, warmth, and class tension at the heart of Rita and Frank’s relationship.

Set in the 1980s, the story captures a pivotal cultural moment—when access to education began to widen and women like Rita dared to defy expectations and reshape their futures.  This unique production blends music and clothes from the era with spoken and written quotes from the literary works discussed in the play, offering fresh insight into the texts that shape their conversations.

This amateur production of Educating Rita is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.