Educating Rita is one of English playwright Willy Russell’s best loved works.

It celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2020 with a major touring production – stopping off at Crewe Lyceum Theatre next month.

The tour which plays in Crewe from Monday March 30 to Saturday April 4 sees Jessica Johnson and Stephen Tompkinson reprise their roles as married hairdresser Rita, who enrols on an Open University course to expand her horizons, and her encounters with brilliant but frustrated university tutor Frank.

It was back in June 1980 that Educating Rita first premiered and where Julie Walters first played the role of Rita opposite Mark Kingston as Frank.

The play’s success was followed by the hit 1983 movie starring Michael Caine and Walters reprising her role as Rita – winning BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and Oscar nominations along the way.

The new touring production, directed by Max Roberts, sets the action firmly in its time – of 1980 – all set within the confines of Frank’s study.

It places the chemistry and performances of the two lead actors very much centre stage, and the pairing of Stephen and Jessica is what most impressed Willy Russell in the 2019 David Pugh production and which garnered rave reviews across the country.

It was a chance discussion between the two actors about their mutual love for the play that was the spark for the revival – winning the support of both David and Max.

To reprise their roles in the 40th year since Educating Rita was first performed on stage is a special moment for them both.

Stephen said: “Last year was such a great success and having the chance to go on and do it when it’s officially the 40th anniversary tour is a lovely bonus.

“We set out to try and remind people what a brilliant play Willy wrote and it’s still so incredibly relevant today.

“It’s only by performing that and letting people hear his words that you see it’s kind of like a long lost friend.”

Writer Willy was heavily involved in the rehearsals and gave his ringing endorsement after the opening night.

Stephen added: “Willy came back stage after the first night and said: ‘Thank you for giving me my play back’. That was just wonderful, because it was what we were trying to achieve, not just make it a star vehicle for one member of the company which has often been the case for some productions.

“It’s a massively popular play – I think people just needed to be reminded of that. The reviews have been amazing so we’re delighted to be taking it out again.”

For Jessica, the character of Rita has particular resonance. Like Rita, she also returned to university education as a mature student.

She said: “I was 23, 24 when I went to university. For me, life kept getting in the way. Some people are ready for studying at different times.

“Education was not for me at 14, 15, but when I got to 23 I was ready for it.”

The actress also hails the play a personal inspiration, as it has been to so many people.

She added: “From a very young age when I read Educating Rita, it gave me permission to aspire, to have the option of a different way of life. I felt that connection with her, the class struggle, the social struggle, the want for something better – that’s something I could get behind and I hope that I bring that to the part.”

Tickets are available from the Box Office on 01270 368242 or online at crewelyceum.co.uk

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