Had a lovely evening out last night, at Oldham Coliseum to see Educating Rita - many of you will have heard of the film, but like me, have never seen the play. Miche and I have been to Oldham Coliseum a few times since she got her job at the college there, and have yet to see something that wasn't brilliant. This was no exception.
Created on a lovely set, depicting a typical, old school university professor's office, the action consists purely of interaction of the two cast members. Frank, a cynical, alcoholic, washed out professor, played by Steven Elliot with a quiet fierceness, but also genuine warmth, and the eponymous Rita - the sassy young hairdresser wanting to better herself. Scarlett Brookes is fantastic in this role, bringing a lightness of spirit and an enthusiasm to the room, that enraptured the audience, and immediately made the attraction that Frank felt feel real to all who were watching. Sparring with Frank through a combination of naive study comments, and witty banter ( all delivered in a wonderful scouse accent), it at times felt more like she was educating him in life, than he was teaching her about literature..
The show felt perfectly paced, with many laugh out loud moments, but also a real darkness underneath, with commentary on class and culture that seems as relevant today as it did when it was first produced in the early 80s. The dilemma that Frank feels as he sees Rita's "outsiders" view of poetry and literature disappear under weight of "notes from accepted experts", is a fascinating study of what makes something "good". A subjective view of "I liked it", or an objective view, "that the characterisation was interesting, and the sub-levels of the story made a valid point".
Objectively, I thought the show was beautifully acted, sympathetically directed, and appealed on many levels. Subjectively, it was brilliant - I loved it.
Educating Rita is on at the Oldham Coliseum until 31st October - it really is worth a watch.
http://www.coliseum.org.uk/plays/educating-rita/
Thursday, 22 October 2015
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