Derby Theatre learns about Educating Rita

Published: 11 February 2017
Reporter: Steve Orme

David Birrell as Frank Credit: Richard Davenport
Jessica Baglow as Rita Credit: Richard Davenport

Willy Russell’s uplifting story of self-discovery Educating Rita, a co-production between Derby Theatre and Octagon Theatre Bolton, is to transfer to Derby for a three-week run.

David Birrell, who won a Manchester Theatre Award for his role as Peter Stockmann in Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People and a Manchester Theatre Award for his role of Osborne in R C Sherriff’s Journey’s End, both for the Octagon Theatre, plays Frank.

Jessica Baglow is Rita. She received an Ian Charleson Award commendation for her performance as Marina in Pericles at Shakespeare’s Globe in 2015.

Birrell said, “my own experience was of not enjoying school and in south Manchester a lot of my mates left as soon as they could. In that way, my image of school is similar to that of Rita’s who says that liking it was ‘not allowed’ by her peer group.

“I stayed on at school because I didn’t know what else to do and far too late I discovered that I quite liked the lessons even if I didn’t like school.

Through that I discovered an interest in drama and had three wonderful years at drama school in Bristol. So education directly affected my choices.

“What I love about the play is that as well as Rita blossoming, Frank grows into being a better teacher as well.”

Baglow credits education with opening up her life chances. She said, “I wouldn’t be where I am now without those opportunities. But what I like about the play is that it’s not saying that you have to go to university, get a degree and pursue a career and that’s it. It’s saying that through education you can chose what you want to do.

“I know I wouldn’t be working in theatre if I hadn’t been to drama school. What we have to remember is that it’s not easy for Rita to get this education she so desires. She makes sacrifices for it and the play also explores the possibility of losing yourself by trying to broaden your horizons. It tears Rita and Frank apart when he recognises that as a result of what she has learned she is starting to abandon her uniqueness.”

Educating Rita runs at Derby Theatre from Friday 17 February until Saturday 11 March.

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