Theatre

Educating Rita at MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton Review

DISCLOSURE - TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER + GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.

Reviewed by Jane Warwick


After such a prolonged period of lockdown how fantastic it is to be able to return to a real theatre and see live performances in front of an appreciative audience!  It is even better when you are seeing one of our best actors (Stephen Tompkinson), playing the key role in a much loved, award-winning, play. The play “Educating Rita” has been performed for many years, but some plays do not seem to be affected by the passing of time, none the less I was a little intrigued as to how the accepted roles in previous eras came across in a modern performance. The play, Educating Rita was written by one of our greatest playwrights, Willy Russell and follows the relationship between a student on an Open University Course and her tutor. The play was first staged in 1980 and in addition to many successful runs including in London’s West End by the RSC, it was adapted into a multi award winning film which starred Julie Walters and Michael Caine. The playwright, Willy Russell, assisted in this new adaptation of his work produced by Olivier and Tony Award-winning producer David Pugh and his play is still a heart warming comedy after over 40 years from the initial writing. Perhaps the underlying premise of poorly educated, working class girl being transformed by a middle class, male academic is slightly out of place in these woke times but the lessons that they learn from each other are still relevant.

The student, a married, working-class, Liverpudlian hairdresser is dissatisfied with her mundane existence and wants to expand her horizons. She changes her name from Susan to Rita and enrols on a course in English Literature run by a middle aged, alcoholic, but brilliant, academic named Frank. The entire play takes place in Frank’s study and follows the interactions between ‘Rita’ and Frank over a period of a year. The play opens as ‘Rita’ meets Frank for the first time. She is very enthusiastic, over talkative, and thirsts for knowledge whilst he is a reluctant tutor who has only agreed to the assignment to finance his serious drinking problem. Nevertheless, the two have an immediate effect on one another and this is explored and developed over a series of meetings between them over the following twelve months. She becomes more confident and changes her lifestyle whilst he initially admires her earnestness and is forced to re-examine some of his attitudes. As the play develops, ‘Rita’ begins to adopt some of the academic pretensions that Frank so despises whilst Frank becomes even more cynical. The attempted suicide of her flat mate makes Rita question her new role and the play ends as Frank welcomes the possibilities of change brought on by an enforced sabbatical to Australia.

As the play contains only two actors, and the set remains constant for the entire 90 minutes performance, its success relies on the performances of Frank and ‘Rita’. Stephen Tompkinson plays Frank and his portrayal of a cynical, alcoholic, embittered, academic was without fault and entirely believable. Jessica Johnson plays ‘Rita’ and her bubbling enthusiasm was the perfect foil for Frank’s cynicism. She needed numerous different costume changes to reflect the passage of time and her evolution from naïve tutee to successfully passing her exams and holding her own with other students was very well done.

The production is being held at The MAST Mayflower Studios in Southampton which is a new addition to the Mayflower Theatre’s operation. This new arts venue and cultural hub only opened in Spring 2021 and is an integral part of Southampton’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid. The building is very modern and contains several studios. Studio 1 where this production is being held is extremely comfortable with lots of leg room, comfortable velour seats and excellent acoustics. All the normal COVID precautions were being followed and the staff were extremely courteous and helpful. The studios are in the cultural centre of Southampton and so car parking, restaurants and bars are all in close proximity.

In summary, this excellent, production of a famous, heart-warming comedy was beautifully executed and is strongly recommended.

Rating: 4.5/5

Tickets cost £34.50; £29.50; £24.50; £14.50

Educating Rita is at MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton from 20th – 24th July 2021, for more information or to book tickets visit [https://www.mayflowerstudios.org.uk/what-s-on/educating-rita-2021/} or call the Box office 02380 711833 Monday – Friday 10am-5.30pm Mast Mayflower Studios,
142-144 Above Bar Street, Southampton,Hampshire. SO14 7DU.

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