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English
Methuen Drama
10 August 2023
'One way of describing Educating Rita would be to say that it was about the meaning of education ... Another would be to say that it was about the meaning of life. A third, that it is a cross between Pygmailion and Lucky Jim. A fourth, that it is simply a marvellous play, painfully funny and passionately serious; a hilarious social documentary; a fairy-tale with a quizzical, half-happy ending.' Sunday Times

This new student edition includes an introduction covering the play's context; chronology; dramatic devices; critical reception; production history; and key themes such as class and identity, popular culture and education.

Educating Rita portrays a working-class Liverpool woman's hunger for education. It premiered at the RSC Warehouse, London, in 1980 and won the SWET award for Best Comedy of the Year. It was subsequently made into a highly successful film with Michael Caine and Julie Walters and won the 1983 BAFTA award for Best Film.

Commentary and notes by Katie Beswick, University of the Arts London.

By:  
Edited by:   , , ,
Imprint:   Methuen Drama
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Edition:   2nd edition
Dimensions:   Height: 198mm,  Width: 129mm,  Spine: 25mm
Weight:   454g
ISBN:   9781350200937
ISBN 10:   135020093X
Series:   Student Editions
Pages:   128
Publication Date:  
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Chronology Context: Liverpool in 1980s Willy Russell and the Everyman Themes: Being trapped and breaking free Class and identity Popular culture v high art Education and knowledge Dramatic Devices: Language and voice Structure Setting Production History: Casting Rita Film Critical Reception Academic Debate Comparative Literature Further Study EDUCATING RITA Notes References

One of the most-produced writers of his time, Willy Russell (b. Whiston, Liverpool, 23 Aug. 1947) is a playwright and songwriter. He has written a large number of highly successful plays and musicals for stage and TV including John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert (1974), Breezeblock Park (1975), One for the Road (1976),Our Day Out (television 1977; stage musical version 1983), Stags and Hens (1978; filmed as Dancin' thru the Dark, 1990), Educating Rita (1979), Blood Brothers(1981; musical version 1983), and Shirley Valentine (1986). His novel, The Wrong Boy, was published to great acclaim in 2000. Katie Beswick is a writer and works as Programme Director Acting and Performance at University of the Arts, London. She writes about theatre, performance, art, class and culture.

Reviews for Educating Rita

Russell's deft two-hander has as much to say about education, art and power as it does about class. --Shona Craven, Herald, 16.2.09 Willy Russell's intellectually insatiable hairdresser is one of those rare comic creations who have become lodged in the collective consciousness. --Guardian Willy Russell's 1979 two-hander emerges evergreen: of its time, but relevant to an income-bracketed Britain where accents still speak volumes. --Sunday Times


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