Following the success of the production’s run at the Minack Open Air Theatre in Cornwall, the 40th anniversary production will continue to tour to theatres across the UK.

Producer David Pugh has announced further details for the UK tour of Educating Rita, coming back to indoor theatres from the 28th October.

The production, directed by Max Roberts and starring Stephen Tompkinson as Frank and Jessica Johnson as Rita will open again at the Rose Theatre in Kingston from the 28th October until the 14th November. This will be followed by a week at Shrewsbury Theatre Severn, with many more dates to be announced. 

Educating Rita tells the story of married hairdresser Rita, who enrols on an Open University course to expand her horizons, and her encounters with university tutor Frank. Frank is a frustrated poet, brilliant academic and dedicated drinker, who is less than enthusiastic about teaching Rita. However, Frank soon finds that his passion for literature is reignited by Rita, whose technical ability for the subject is limited by her lack of education, but whose enthusiasm Frank finds refreshing. The two soon realise how much they have to learn from each other.

Talking about the news David Pugh said: “Rita herself is a class act. She has always embraced change and so now, with social distancing – if you’ve got a closed theatre, she’ll reopen it – we are delighted we’re reopening the historic Rose Theatre, Kingston.”

As well as being directed by Max Roberts, the production’s creative team includes set and costume designs by Patrick Connellan, lighting design by Drummond Orr and sound design by David Flynn.

For more information visit: https://www.educatingrita.co.uk/