"Educating Rita" by Willy Russell.
Nottingham Lace Market Theatre.
Willy Russell is one of my favourite writers; anyone who knows mw knows that "Blood Brothers" is my Number One musical EVER!!!! I've seen "Our Day Out", "Shirley Valentine", "Stags and Hens" and of course, as with "Educating Rita", they are all beautifully written observations of real life, That is what makes his works so easy to watch and to relate to.
Frank is a tutor of English in his fifties whose disillusioned outlook on life drives him to drink and bury himself in his books. Enter Rita, a forthright 29 year-old hairdresser who is eager to learn. She wants to learn everything! After weeks of cajoling, Rita slowly wins over the very hesitant Frank with her innate insight and refusal to accept no for an answer. Their relationship as teacher and student blossoms, ultimately giving Frank a new sense of self and Rita the knowledge she so craves. You plainly see a slight role reversal with the two as they both gain knowledge from the other. The play became a hit film with Michael Caine and Julie Walters in 1983.
Malcolm Todd plays Frank, a tutor who does not have high opinions of students and is quite grumpy. Perfect casting. Frank is also highly intelligent and a well educated man, knowing his way around the world of literature. Again perfect casting. Frank hides bottles of booze within his bookcase and has a drink problem. Malcolm Todd is a great actor.
It's great fun to see Malcolm in action because off stage he's not at all grumpy, I'm not sure of his opinions on students or the extent he takes method acting. But seriously, this is a role made for an actor like Malcolm as he completely embodies every aspect of Russell's literal image of Frank.
Rita is played by Charlotte MacLachlan. Now, Charlotte is a new name to the Lace Market Theatre, so I know nothing of her apart from this performance. What I do know is that she has an excellent ear for the Scouse accent, which everyone thinks that they can do, but to keep that perfected tone throughout really draws you into the character. It's like listening to a native from Birkenhead, that is the posh part of Liverpool, so I've been advised. I got the chance to relay my admiration to Charlotte, regarding her accent and role afterwards. 
This may be Charlotte's Lace Market theatre debut, but I hope we get to see her again in future productions around the city.
Charlotte has quite a few costume changes throughout, some done very rapidly, which can obviously add urgency and stress to a performer. No signs of that here when, at times, only a matter of seconds are afforded to some of the costume changes.
This pair really have chemistry together and their timing is wonderful to behold, especially in the intimate Studio section of the Lace Market, because in there nothing escapes the eagle eyed audience member. On the flip side of that coin, you also feel every emotion conveyed by both.
Throughout this production I can honestly say I didn't think once about Caine and Walters; I didn't need to, Todd and MacLachlan gave me the perfect Frank and Rita.
Making his Directorial debut is James Whitby and I expect that he is one pleased director with his, and his cast's week of sold out performances. It also makes a Director's job easier when he has a pair of actors who know exactly what they are doing. This three way mix of talents obviously has the magic formula. James has many years of acting experience behind him, belying his still tender years, so he knows what works from an actor's viewpoint, so making the transition from actor to Director is a natural progression. This production is a brilliant way to break his Directorial duck, so here's to many more, just don't be a stage stranger James, please.
Lighting Design is by Nick Gale. The Studio performance space, and this play, doesn't need any fancy lighting effects, so the simple fades to break up the scenes was just what was needed. Simplicity is sometimes the best and most effective way to let an audience know where one scene ends and the next begins.
Sound Design is by Órla Godfrey-Carter. Every cue was hit. I was however trying to work out what the closing piece of music was that was used to signal the end of the play. The additional music really took me back though as it was the music used for The Open University itself.
It was always a given that I was going to love this play, but Malcolm and Charlotte completely made me banish the Caine and Walters portrayals, and the other actors who I can't remember from previous touring productions - I only remember Stephen Tompkinson, as now I have a new, unforgettable Frank and Rita.
This cast and crew are an education on how to produce and present a brilliant evening of fun, with a few more serious messages interwoven that will make you think about you and your life choices.
The week is all sold out but it may be worth contacting the Lace Market Box Office just in case there are any return tickets. "Educating Rita" is being performed until Saturday 16 September.
Pictures courtesy of Grace Eden.
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