PREVIEW: Jonathan Pie: Fake News (The Corona Remix) at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

 Jonathan Pie: Fake News (The Corona Remix)

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Saturday 11th September 2021

Fourth time lucky, the internet sensation finally appears at the Toon’s premier variety theatre and he did not disappoint. Supported by the very capable Jojo Sutherland the packed venue was presented with a real comedy treat.

Opening the show was the experienced Jojo Sutherland. We had not seen her live before but she had entertained us a number of times on the Stand’s Saturday online shows that had helped keep us sane during the lockdowns. She is naturally funny and engaging and was able to warm the crowd well with her tales of raising children whilst still having a life.

During the interval, the screen at the back of the stage was showing the work of the artist @Fokawolf. Plenty of people around us were laughing at the various memes that were often based upon familiar advertisements. 

Our seats were at the edge of the grand circle and we had a great view of the stage - that is not always the case with these older theatres. We could also see people taking their seats up in the Gallery and that shows how popular tonight’s headliner is. It is wonderful to be in a full venue sharing a live comedy act. As great as the online shows were, they were no substitute for a real live show.

Some comedy acts appear as themselves, others appear in character. Nationally successful character acts include Al Murray as “The Pub Landlord” and, for some reason, Brendan O’Carroll wins awards as “Mrs Brown” (was it really the greatest sitcom on tv?). 

Jonathan Pie is another comedy character. He was created by actor Tom Walker when the question was posed: “what happens when the news reporter goes off the air.” The first appearance online was in 2015 when reporting on the reaction to the election of Jeremy Corbyn. SInce then Pie has commentated on the rise and fall of May, Trump and now Johnson. The character is a socialist who has plenty to say about the populist right wing leaders and their handling of the media. The result is a satirical view for the current times that follows in the footsteps of shows like Spitting Image in the 1980s.

The show begins with the headline that the newspaper Jonathan Pie has been sacked by the news programme that employed him after an incident on the air. All will be revealed by the end of the show, but first Pie needs to get the last two years off his chest. The analysis of the crisis starts with Matt Hancock. Clearly the audience are on the same page given their positive reaction to Pie’s character assasignation. 

Jonathan Pie is not here to discuss the United States or Brexit. There is no need. A news reporter has much more to chew on than that. Clearly the show has had a complete rewrite since whatever was proposed in the original show that was going on tour early in 2020.

But there is more to the show than government bashing. The performance of the opposition, and more crucially the lack of any willingness to debate with the other side, also gets picked off. You cannot win battles if you don’t engage or try to understand the other viewpoint. Thus Pie shows how broken our political system is as it seems to only give two options to any issue.

This is a comedy show. Tom Walker was able to keep the laughs coming throughout the 80 minute performance. There was as much energy in the show as he captures in the short YouTube clips. He points out the issues and allows the audience to make their own mind up. There was a well deserved standing ovation afterwards. As someone I did not know exclaimed outside to me in the bar afterwards: “Brilliant, wasn’t it?” Our group agreed and we plan to see him again on the next tour.

Review by Stephen Oliver

Advertisement:

Tickets are available for a number of comedy shows at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House.

Simon Amstell: Spirit Hole - Sat 2 Oct 2021 - Tickets: https://tidd.ly/3EcA1hh 

Jimmy Carr – A Terribly Funny Book Tour - Mon 4 Oct 2021 - Tickets: https://tidd.ly/2V6CwiW 

Paul Zerdin: Hands Free - Sun 10 Oct 2021 - Tickets: https://tidd.ly/3EkNW51 

Adam Buxton Rambles… - Weds 13 Oct 2021 - Tickets: https://tidd.ly/3hpjSvc 

John Bishop – Warm Up - Thurs 14 Oct 2021 - Tickets: https://tidd.ly/3hqPfp0 

Milton Jones in Milton: Impossible - Weds 20 Oct 2021 - Tickets: https://tidd.ly/2XkBEsz 

Jimeoin – Turn it Up - Fri 22 Oct 2021 - Tickets: https://tidd.ly/2XadX6l

Nina Conti – The Dating Show - Sat 6 Nov 2021 - Tickets: https://tidd.ly/3Ear1cw

News: Chance To Play ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Opposite Britain’s Got Talent Winner Matt Pagan From Collabro In this year’s panto at Tyne Theatre & Opera House

 

Your Chance To Play ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Opposite Britain’s Got Talent Winner Matt Pagan From Collabro 

In this year’s panto at Newcastle's Tyne Theatre & Opera House

 

The search is on to find a talented local actress to play the lead role of ‘Princess’ in this year’s magical family pantomime Sleeping Beauty at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House.

Panto producers Enchanted Entertainment are on the lookout for a female aged 18+ from the North East to star alongside Britain’s Got Talent Winner and singing sensation – Collabro’s Matt Pagan, who is playing ‘Prince’ in Sleeping Beauty, as well as hilarious Geordie comics Charlie Richmond as ‘Jester’ and Lewis Denny as ‘Dame’.

Female performers aged 18+ need to attend the auditions taking place on Thursday 23rd September at 3pm at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House, with recalls taking place on Tuesday 28th September.

Producer Guy Pascall said: “It's going to be a fantastic Christmas production and what an amazing opportunity for a local actress to gain valuable professional experience in the panto and to start them off on their own glittering career”.

Hopefuls need to bring a song of their choice with a backing track to sing to the audition panel. They will then be given some acting sections from the script of Sleeping Beauty to perform in front of the pantomime’s creative team.

The successful candidate must be available from 20th November – 2nd December for rehearsals and then from 3rd December – 3rd January for the actual performances. The role is contracted, meaning the performer will be paid for their work on the show.

Enchanted Entertainment will be bringing 54 spellbinding performances of Sleeping Beauty to the Tyne Theatre and Opera House from 3rd December 2021 – 3rd January 2022. The pantomime will feature a fantastic live band and for the first time ever in a Tyne Theatre panto: amazing 3D especially designed for children in the audience. As always, the show will be packed with a host of top stars, including Britain’s Got Talent Winner – Collabro’s Matt Pagan as ‘Prince’, the return of hilarious North East panto comic Charlie Richmond as the silly ‘Jester’ as well as Karen The Mam’s Lewis Denny back as ‘Dame’.

Musical Director Jezz Weatherall said: “The Princess in Sleeping Beauty is one of the best pantomime parts for an actress to play and we'll be looking for someone that can sing, dance and act to a very high standard. As well as a fantastic cast, the panto will also include a brilliant live band for our successful actress to sing with in the show”.

Enchanted Entertainment are assembling an amazing cast and planning some spectacular pantomime magic to ensure Sleeping Beauty will be a wonderful family panto with plenty of audience participation, fantastic sets and costumes, and of course jokes galore for all the family!

 

Tickets:

#ad Tickets are on sale now and are available from the theatre and Eventim UK: https://tinyurl.com/TynePanto2021

Preview: Tales & Scales at North Shields Exchange

Tales & Scales: Stories and Songs Celebrating North Shields

Tales & Scales

North Shields Exchange Theatre

in partnership with CaroleW Productions

Saturday 18^th September 2021

This is the first of three such evenings of theatre and music leading up to a community play in early summer 2023 for which writer Steve Byron will be seeking out stories of those who have lived and worked and passed through the commercial centre of North Shields.  The shows are part of the North Shields Heritage Action Zone project which will culminate in a piece of musical theatre to celebrate its past, present and future.

For this launch event, music will be provided by Celia Bryce and Colin Bradshaw, George Welch and Christine Jeans & Jamie Brown. 

The three short plays on offer will be by Cloud Nine Theatre, Blowin’ a Hooley and The Worriers, details of which are below.

 

The Filleting “App”

Written by Alex Oates

Presented by Blowin’ a Hooley

Performed by Harriet Ghost & Micky McGregor

 

A loving answer to Tom Hadaway’s classic ‘The Filleting Machine’ first written almost 50 years ago. The play finds the same family living and working in North Shields today and asks what, if, anything has changed for ‘Ma’ and ‘Da’ in the intervening years.

 

Fire and Water – The Thomas Brown Story (begins)

Written by Peter Mortimer

Presented by Cloud Nine Theatre

Performed by Anthony Broderick, Anna Marie Davis & Eleanor Beck

Directed by Neil Armstrong

 

The opening scenes of the remarkable true story of a 15-year-old North Shields lad whose heroic action in helping salvage vital Enigma Code documents from a sinking German U-Boat helped shorten World War II. Full production coming in November.

 

Preaching to the Bottom of the Glass

Written by Steve Byron

Presented by The Worriers

Performed by Karen Traynor & Jack Lloyd

 

Onto streets soaked in beer and bounty from the sea comes a saviour, following in the footsteps of Wesley, to save the folk of Shields with no wish to be saved.

If you have your own reminiscences or stories to tell don’t hesitate to contact the team at tales@theexchange.live 

REVIEW: Heathers the Musical at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Heathers the Musical

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 September 2021

Heathers finally makes it to the North East this week after a successful run in the West End. Based upon the 1989 movie, it is a black comedy about surviving High School.

The show opens with 17 year old Veronica Sawyer (Rebecca Wickes) taking the audience with an introduction to the various tribes and cliques that form in school by the student’s mid-teens. This includes members of the football team, Kurt (Liam Doyle) and Ram (Rory Phelan), as well as her friend from her Kindergarten days Martha (Mhairi Angus). In alpha position are three girls called Heather whose personalities follow certain personality traits: so we are presented with weak-willed Heather McNamara (Lizzy Parker), petty Heather Duke (Merryl Ansah), and the leader of the pack Heather Chandler (Maddison Firth). 

Initially an outsider, Veronica is invited to join the Heathers - along with a makeover - after she gets them off detention by forging a hall pass. Once she joins them she gets noticed by her other classmates but is expected to be cruel to her long term friend Martha. Veronica's head is turned when new lad Jason 'J.D.' Duke (Simon Gordon) appears and puts both Kurt and Ram physically in their place.

Whilst the story initially goes over familiar teen movie territory - with a party after school - it soon takes a number of darker turns as J.D.'s relationship with Veronica develops.

This is very much a dark comedy with book, music and lyrics from Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy. There are some big ensemble numbers, a number of duets between Veronica and J.D. that Rebecca Wickes and Simon Gordon handle well ,plus some solo spots. The lyrics work well with the plot and help push the emotions of the characters across, which is a good job given the nature of some of the subject matter.

It is worth flagging up a trigger warning at this point as the show covers a number of dark issues, including bulimia, bullying, teen suicide, sexual assault, homophobia and school violence. The way in which you might handle such issues is different today compared to the 1980s. As a result the story gets caught at times dealing with a number of serious issues in a trivial/lighthearted way which may cause issues for some. For others, there are a number of serious talking points to consider after the show. In balance my companion and I feel the show managed to handle the difficult stuff right by the end.

There were some great solo spots, in particular for me, Lizzy Parker really shines during Lifeboat. Mhairi Angus also got the audience on side during Kindergarten Boyfriend.

Liam Doyle and Rory Phelan worked well as the comedy duo. Their timing added a number of laughs to the action. In fact the show breaks the forth wall occasionally - even to the extent of calling out one member of the audience.

The set design (David Shields) helped keep the action flowing and it was noticeable that the clever lighting design (Ben Cracknell) not only highlighted the action but was happy to colour code the Heathers. It was wonderful to hear a live band, under musical director Phil Cornwell, for the first time this year. All other shows that we've seen so far have used pre-recorded music. Dan Samson's sound design ensured that we could hear everything at the back of the venue - and as regular readers will note - that was not always the case in some of those 2019/2020 shows we reviewed just before lockdown.

The show went down well with the audience - the stalls were up on the feet applauding at the end. It is a entertaining musical that does more than the average teen movie. My companion even went as far to say that they preferred it to the movie. For those of you wanting to see a new musical that has good execution then this one is a decent adaptation.

Potentially, given the subject matter, this could have been really bad, but they missed the bullet and created an entertaining night at the theatre.

Review by Stephen Oliver

Photos of the West End Cast: Pamela Raith Photography

Tickets:

Heathers the Musical plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 September 2021. Tickets are priced from £15.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).

REVIEW: Derren Brown: Showman at Sunderland Empire

Derren Brown: Showman

Sunderland Empire

Tuesday 7th - Saturday 11 September 2021

It has been 6 years since Derren Brown toured. With his reputation for live performances being something spectacular which ensured that the Sunderland audience were anticipating to witness a special event on the first night of his week long run.

This was our first time at his live show. We’ve enjoyed seeing him on TV as he uses, as Wikipedia points out, "magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection, and showmanship" to entertain. Indeed we have seen him expose mediums and faith healers as fakes. Yet, very little details were made available before this show.

Regular readers will also be aware that the North East Theatre Guide is not in the business of writing spoilers. We don’t plan to start giving away any surprises with this report either.

Here's the thing, I want to say how the show starts but I don't want to spoil it for you. So I am not going to.

So what can you be told? As you enter the Sunderland Empire you are greeted with many old posters celebrating the venues origins as a fabulous place for variety theatre. It used to show entertainers that would amaze and excite the audience rather than modern drama theatre. You get a sense of the desire to recapture those days with the set design too. An Edwardian, almost steampunk style naturally fits in in a venue that opened in 1907.

Then you get to the performer himself. Derren has created a new show that does not feel like any of his previous shows (based upon what we have seen on DVD). He is a naturally engaging performer than the audience are willing to interact and empathise with. He is a storyteller who can keep 1200 people hanging onto what he says and does. The audience laughs, they cheer and, crucially, they follow instructions.

In 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval, Derren Brown sends you on a journey and at the end of it you'll want to discuss it with whoever you came with. It literally sounded like everyone was asking "how" as they left, such is the sense of individual participation in the collective show. It is a really good night out.

It is worth adding that no one was asked to do anything that they didn't want to. He is able to work entirely with volunteers.

This is a really well worked and entertaining show that is different to the other shows that the Empire will host this year. It has been a long 19 months for us to come back to this place and it marvelous that we did so to such a great show. If you want to find out more, I do recommend that you book tickets and find out for yourself.

Review by Stephen Oliver

News: Haddock & Chips a new play by Janet Plater to tour the North East

 

Haddock & Chips a new play by Janet Plater to tour the North East

CaroleW Productions presents:

Haddock & Chips by Janet Plater

Preview performance on Wednesday 20 October at The Exchange in North Shields.

Touring the North East of England from Thursday 21 October to Saturday 13 November 2021.

 

Newcastle based CaroleW Productions is delighted to announce the North East tour of Haddock & Chips a funny, heartwarming and timely new play by Janet Plater. Starring Phillippa Wilson and Joe Caffrey and directed by Jake Murray

 

Haddock & Chips is set on a busy night in Frankie’s, a fictitious chippy in Whitley Bay. When reports start coming in of a little girl gone missing the community must pull together to find her before it’s too late.

The play, which will preview at The Exchange in North Shields on Wednesday 20 October before opening at Gosforth Civic Theatre on Thursday 21 October 2021, will then tour to Alnwick Playhouse, Queen’s Hall Arts Centre in Hexham, Gala Durham, Frosterley Village Hall in Bishop Auckland, Middleton and Todridge Village Hall in Morpeth, The Witham in Barnard Castle, Arts Centre Washington, The Maltings in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Kentmere Institute in Kendal, Wetheral Community Village Hall in Carlisle, Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens near Durham and Saltburn Community Theatre before returning to The Exchange in North Shields on Thursday 11 November 2021 for four homecoming performances.

Phillippa Wilson

Phillippa Wilson and Joe Caffrey, who last worked together in Twelve Tales of Tyneside at Newcastle’s Live Theatre, will play all of the characters to come through Frankie’s doors providing a whistle stop encounter with Whitley Bay’s finest folk and an uplifting message about the power of ordinary people working together to care for one another.

As producer Carole Wears of CaroleW Productions explains: “Brimming with humour and humanity Haddock & Chips promises to capture the hearts and minds of audiences transporting them to the coastal town of Whitley Bay for a night of feel good entertainment. Stopping off at fourteen venues across the North East of England, with a few Cumbria dates mixed in for good measure, Haddock & Chips is a play about the people and communities that can be found in any seaside resort. You’ll almost be able to smell the sea air!”

Joe Caffrey

Director Jake Murray added: “Haddock & Chips is a beautiful, funny, thought-provoking new play which is both moving and inspiring. Set in the North East the play has a big heart, a shrewd eye for human character and a real community spirit. Janet Plater has carefully crafted characters we know but don’t always see on stage in a play that explores the idea that people don’t always achieve what once they dreamt of. Some are lucky to find contentment, even if it’s in unexpected ways and others drift, searching for a sense of belonging and home.”

Featuring an upbeat soundtrack and original music from Bridie Jackson, Haddock & Chips will include dance scenes choreographed by multi award-winning choreographer Lee Proud.

Originally from Fenham in Newcastle upon Tyne Lee spent four years in the original London Cast of Billy Elliot the Musical where he became the show’s Resident Choreographer before going on to work on a host of blockbuster shows across the world.

As if that’s not enough, some lucky audience members will be gifted a limited edition Haddock & Chips salted chocolate created especially for the tour by Bev Stephenson of Gosforth based North Chocolates. Theatregoers will also be explore a unique foyer artwork created by Newcastle based visual artist Michael Davies based on the themes of the play.

 

Cast & Creatives:

CaroleW Productions presents

Haddock & Chips by Janet Plater

Performed by Phillippa Wilson & Joe Caffrey

Direction by Jake Murray

Design by Louis Price

Movement Direction by Lee Proud

Original Music by Birdie Jackson

Haddock & Chips 2021 Tour Dates:

October 2021

• The Exchange, North Shields - Preview - Wednesday 20 October, 7.30pm

• Gosforth Civic Theatre - Thursday 21 to Friday 22 October, 7.30pm & Saturday 23 October, 1pm

• Alnwick Playhouse - Tuesday 26 October, 2pm & 7.30pm

• Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham - Thursday 28 October, 7.30pm

• Gala Durham - Friday 29 October, 7.30pm

• Frosterley Village Hall in Bishop Auckland - Saturday 30 October, 7.30pm*

• Middleton & Todridge Village Hall in Northumberland - Sunday 31 October, 7.30pm*

November 2021

• The Witham in Barnard Castle - Wednesday 3 November, 7.30pm

• Arts Centre Washington - Thursday 4 November, 7.30pm

• The Maltings in Berwick-upon-Tweed - Friday 5 November, 7.30pm

• Kentmere Institute in Kendal - Saturday 6 November, 7.30pm*

• Wetheral Community Village Hall in Carlisle - Sunday 7 November, 7pm*

• Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens near Durham - Tuesday 9 November, 7.30pm

• Saltburn Community Theatre - Wednesday 10 November, 7.30pm

• The Exchange in North Shields - Thursday 11 to Saturday 13 November, 7.30pm, Saturday 13 November 2.30pm

* These dates are part of the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme

Age suitability: 12+

Duration: Approx. 2 hours including interval

Tickets:

Haddock & Chips, which will tour the North East of England from Wednesday 20 October to Saturday 13 November 2021, has been made possible using public funding by Arts Council England.

Tickets for the tour range from £12-£14. For more details about tour dates and to book tickets visit www.carolewproductions.com.

Preview: Educating Rita at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Much-Loved Stage And Screen Favourite Returns To Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

Educating Rita

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Monday 13^th – Saturday 18 September 2021.

Jessica Johnson as Rita and Stephen Tompkinson as Frank in Educating Rita.

North East favourites Stephen Tompkinson and Jessica Johnson will make a highly anticipated return to Newcastle Theatre Royal in the best British comedy ever – Educating Rita – in September.

Stephen will play the role of Frank and stars alongside Sunderland-born Jessica Johnson as Rita. The hilarious and heart-warming comedy – written by one of our greatest ever playwrights, Willy Russell - is directed by Max Roberts of Live Theatre.

A chance meeting and a mutual love of Educating Rita was the spark for the major new production of the acclaimed Willy Russell.

Jessica Johnson will play Susan "Rita" White, the Liverpudlian hairdresser aiming for a better life at the Open University, opposite Stephen Tompkinson as her frustrated professor Frank Bryant.

And it all came about after a serendipitous meeting between the two leads when both were performing at Live Theatre in Newcastle.  Jessica said: "We crossed paths and got chatting, and I just said to Stephen I thought he would make an amazing Frank. I had just done a short run of Educating Rita in Durham at the Gala Theatre, and was telling Stephen how I'd love to get a longer run at this incredible role."

Stephen, 53, adds: "It transpired it's a play we’ve both loved for many, many years.  So I went away and re-read the play, which I had been reading since I was 15. In fact a school friend and I used to rehearse it in my dad’s garage together, but of course I was way too young for the role back then. But re-reading the play I realised I’m now the right age to play Frank which was a little bit scary to begin with!”

It led Stephen, who had been performing in the acclaimed production of Yasmina Reza’s Art on a national tour, to broach the idea of doing something with Educating Rita in future with Art’s producer, David Pugh.

David loved the idea - and brought together Jessica and Stephen for a performance of the play in a hotel room in Bath in front of playwright Willy Russell’s daughter Rachel.  “We had a rather nervous performance of the play in a hotel room, to see if there were any legs in it and fortunately we passed with flying colours.”

Stephen said: “We can’t believe how fortunate we’ve been that Willy still has such interest in a play that he wrote 40 years ago, and in this production.  To have had Willy there at every stage of rehearsal, that’s truly inspirational and what hopefully makes this production stand apart. It’s his play, so we couldn’t look for more inspiration than that.”

Jessica added: “To get his insight in the room with us was a real privilege.  I’ve devoured all of his plays, so to get his insight in the character he wrote is incredible.  He’s been a massive influence for so many generations.”

For Jessica, the character of Rita has particular resonance - as, like Rita, she also returned to university education as a mature student.  Jessica, said: “I was 23, 24 when I went to university.  For me, life kept getting in the way of university! Some people are ready for studying at different times.  Education was not for me at 14, 15, but when I got to 23 I was ready for it.” Jessica also hailed the play a personal inspiration for her.  She said: “From a very young age when I read Educating Rita, it gave me permission to aspire, to have the option of a different way of life.”

The new production is set in the play’s original time of 1980, all within the confines of Frank’s study.

And while Jessica is from Sunderland, she took on the Liverpudlian accent of Rita for the show.  She said: “I’m fine with the Liverpool accent, I don’t have a massive backlog of accents, but Liverpool I can do!  It’s not dissimilar from my own accent, being from Sunderland, so it’s a similar heritage with Irish immigration and the docks.  The rhythm and the delivery is the same.”

Meanwhile Stephen, who is known and loved across the nation for his time in long-running TV dramas including Ballykissangel, Wild at Heart and DCI Banks, relished getting inside the head of Frank.

Stephen said: “Frank is terribly disappointed in life, he’s not been a great success at being a poet, he’s disappointed in the way the curriculum dictates how he teaches. There’s nothing of him in there, there’s no passion. So to meet this woman with so much passion, he almost wants to run away. She offers him a little bit of a lifeline, and he’s doing the same for her. There is definitely an attraction for him. It’s a brilliantly written play, and a universal story of two lost souls, mismatched people in terms of character and background who meet at the right time to help each other in life.”

Jessica said: “It’s definitely a love story, they definitely care for each other, she loves him for giving her the opportunities.”

And how has Stephen prepared for some of the famous scenes in the play, including Frank’s drunken descent?  Stephen smiles: “I’m doing it by not drinking in real life!  So it will definitely all be acting. He does drink a lot, and he’s been told to hide the obvious signs - he hides the bottles everywhere.  He’s in a bit of decline. It’s mapping the descent.”

Stephen also believes audiences are in for a treat with the casting of Jessica as Rita - much as Julie Walters was when she made her movie debut in Educating Rita in 1983.

Stephen said: “Julie Walters wasn’t known to the majority of the audience then, and it was that surprise value that made it work, and I think Jess does that as well.  As soon as I saw Jess on stage I knew there was a uniqueness she had, and I think it will be a beautiful surprise for the audience when Rita breezes into everybody’s life.”

Educating Rita tells the story of married hairdresser Rita, who enrols on an Open University course to expand her horizons, and her encounters with university tutor Frank. Frank is a frustrated poet, brilliant academic and dedicated drinker, who is less than enthusiastic about teaching Rita. However, Frank soon finds that his passion for literature is reignited by Rita, whose technical ability for the subject is limited by her lack of education, but whose enthusiasm Frank finds refreshing. The two soon realise how much they have to learn from each other.

Photos: Nobby Clark

Tickets:

Educating Rita plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Monday 13 – Saturday 18 September 2021. Tickets are priced from £15.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).