The Library Theatre Company has cast two well-known TV faces, Gillian Kearney and Philip Bretherton, in a revival of Willy Russell’s classic comedy, Educating Rita.
Amongst many roles on TV, Liverpool-born Kearney played Jessica Harrison in BBC1’s Casualty and Debbie McGrath in Brookside on Channel 4. On stage in Manchester, she was Cordelia in King Lear, and Lucy in Sheridan’s The Rivals, both at the Royal Exchange.
A graduate of Manchester University, Preston-born Philip Bretherton played Alistair Deacon in nine series of BBC1’s As Time Goes By. He also appeared as scheming football manager Stefan Hauser, a role loosely based on former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, in ITV’s drama Footballers’ Wives.
Educating Rita was inspired by the author's experiences of returning to education as an adult. Brash hairdresser Rita wants to better herself; world-weary lecturer Frank is ready to give up. But in need of some extra cash, he agrees to tutor Rita, totally unaware of the whirlwind about to enter his world.
Directed by Chris Honer, the Library’s artistic director, the production runs at The Lowry in Salford September 26 to October 12.