“Educating Rita” by Willy Russell
Nottingham Theatre Royal

Willy Russell’s 1980 play was made famous by the 1983 film adaptation starring Sir Michael Caine and Julie Walters, and tells the story of 26-year old hairdresser Rita and her Open University tutor Frank.

Frank has practically given up on his ambition to be a poet and he has grown bored by teaching undergraduate English students, often turning to the bottle for solace. Rita walks through Frank’s door proclaiming she wants to know ‘eveythin’ because she wants to better her life and get an education.

The play takes place entirely in Frank’s university office and the story unfolds across a series of tutorials that Frank gives to Rita, but by the end of the play both characters learn as much from each other.

Willy Russell, in my opinion, is one of the finest modern playwrights ever. His plays have amazing observations and are written for the man, and woman, in the street. Maybe that should be the other way around as Russell writes the female character so very well, as shown in this play.

Just think of Mrs Johnstone in "Blood Brothers", "Shirley Valentine" and the girls in "Stags and Hens" to name just three other of his wonderful plays with strong female characters.

There's a hell of a lot of comedy and gorgeously funny one line jokes in "Educating Rita" and then all of a sudden, just as you're lulled into that comedy corner, BANG! the sucker punch to the stomach that wakes you up and makes you sit up and take more notice, this from both characters. This is no one sided play.

Stephen Tompkinson (Frank) shows what a brilliant character actor he is. I have been a fan of Tompkinson's for an absolute age, and seeing him perform on stage just builds on that adoration for this man's acting

Jessica Johnson (Rita) is a new name to me but she is an actor that I want to see more of. She is funny, she has power and has a presence on stage that attracts you to her like a magnet.

Being just a two actor show, there is a lot asked of both actors and they deliver a lot. Almost like being a fly on the University office wall.

I've seen this play before on stage and I found myself just hanging on to their every word and action, which is also part to do with Russell's amazing writing, as well as the natural performances given by this pair of actors.

Directed by Max Roberts and a set design, by Patrick Connellan, that had my eyes roaming all over. I love books, so this set was heavenly to me.

There was never any doubt in my mind that I was going to love this production, and I left the theatre feeling elation at having experienced such a magical piece of British theatre.

The play shows that everyone has a choice, but you do not need to be educated to choose to see this play.

“Educating Rita” is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 18 May