Educating Rita

A Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch production

Willy Russell’s timeless and inspirational comedy.

Whisky-loving Open University professor Frank Bryant is expected to teach when the pubs are open – much to his disgust. So when gobby hairdresser Rita bursts into his book lined study insisting that Frank becomes her assigned tutor, he grudgingly accepts the challenge. Rita may think Yeats is a wine lodge but she also believes that literature could offer her a way out of the rut she’s in.

Slowly, Frank realises that this enthusiastic working-class student has much to teach him too – making him question his work and his very being in the process. This iconic, hilarious and touching play won an Olivier Award in 1980 and remains as brilliant and relevant as ever. Rita’s personal and academic evolution is a joy to witness, with a resolution as unexpected as it is full of promise.

Originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1980, Willy Russell’s Educating Rita ran for over two years in the West End and won the Society of West End Theatres award for Best Comedy. It subsequently became a BAFTA award-winning film starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters.

For the first time in Queen’s Theatre history, you’ll be able to get up close to the action as we will be extending the stage into the auditorium to offer a truly unique and intimate setting. With limited seating on the stage in our usual comfortable auditorium seats, it’s a viewing experience not to be missed!

Age guidance 12+

Contains some strong language