Educating Rita comes to Newbury

Timothy Bentinck is best known for his role as David Archer in The Archers

Willy Russell's acclaimed comedy Educating Rita comes to The Watermill Theatre in Newbury from Thursday 8 October to Saturday 14 November 2009.

Michael Caine and Julie Walters starred in the hugely successful screen adaptation of the play in 1983.

The funny but poignant play follows hairdresser Rita who yearns for something more in life and enrols in an Open University English course.

Assigned to academic tutor Dr Frank Bryant, a touching friendship blooms.

Frank has known better days, in fact known better years.

He tries to hide his disaffection with academia and his bourgeois life in the bottom of the whisky glass.

Following some spectacular displays of verbal fireworks the pair strike up a most unlikely and profound friendship.

Rita's vitality and passion for life and makes Frank re-examine his frustrations whilst Rita is enthralled by the world of literature that he reveals.

Her newly found confidence plays havoc with her home life and a gentle romance starts between tutor and student.

Educating Rita is directed by Jamie Glover, who last appeared at The Watermill in 1997 as Henry V.

His other directing credits include Measure For Measure for Thelma Holt, starring Alistair McGowan and Jason Merrells.

Frank is played by Timothy Bentinck and Rita by Claire Lams.

Timothy is best known for his role as David Archer in BBC Radio Four's The Archers.

Click here for ticket information.