Open auditions for Educating Rita will take place on Monday 18th and Wednesday 20th June 2018 – all welcome!
We will be performing Willy Russell’s classic two-hander about a northern hairdresser and her alcoholic Open University tutor in The Room Upstairs at Lincoln Drill Hall in October 2018.
The play gave rise to one of the most iconic modern film partnerships, with Julie Walters as the brash, to-the-point Rita and Michael Caine as the washed-up lecturer Frank.
The play has only two parts, each of equal significance:
Rita (real name Susan), down to earth, direct, outwardly confident and brash and with a ‘funny girl’ say-what-she-thinks attitude which does, however, mask a vulnerability and an acute awareness of and sensitivity about her social background. As the play progresses, Rita’s intelligence and thirst to learn gradually come to the fore, as do her natural humanity and warmth. Age range mid 20s to early 30s. A Northern accent, not necessarily Liverpudlian, will be required.
Frank, a middle-aged, scruffy academic and lecturer with a drink problem, who initially appears disaffected with academia and teaching and who seeks redemption in the bottle, but who is initially astonished and then inspired by Rita’s character and by her passion to learn. Frank could be anywhere from mid-40s to early 50s.
Rita and Frank are both strong character roles with a lot of depth, and the change in each character is gradual. The play is a comedy, but not a farce, and the ability to character-act is imperative in each case.
Auditions will take place at The Kennel behind The Dog & Bone, John Street, Lincoln LN2 5BH at 7:30pm on Monday 18 and Wednesday 20 June.
These dates are alternatives – you don’t need to attend both auditions!
If you are unable to make these dates or would like further information, please contact the director, David Thew, by emailing david@davidthew.com.
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