The second week of March sees the Arden Theatre in Faversham stage its production of “Educating Rita” by Willy Russell. The 1983 film will be known to many but the original 1980 play, purely a two-hander, will appear fresh to anyone expecting merely a re-hash of the film.

The opening night audience was treated to a memorable performance by the talented cast.

Despite differing experiences of education, one privileged and one threadbare, professor and student are united in self-doubt. The increasing confidence of Rita (Francesca Grace Woods) eventually challenges Frank’s (Phil Mace) disillusionment with academia, rekindling his enthusiasm. Rita realises that the narrow cultural expectations of her impoverished background can be overcome.    

The dynamics of the relationship evolve in the second act, as the characters strive to escape from their self-imposed limitations.

Each actor stamps their own authority on their character, overcoming any audience preconceptions based on the well-known portrayals of Rita and Frank.

The Arden production of “Educating Rita” is a worthy addition to the 2023 programme, following in the footsteps of recent popular revivals of Russell’s “Our Day Out” and “Blood Brothers”.  It runs to Saturday 11^th March.