Educating Rita was published in 1982, written by Willy Russel. Educating Rita tells the story of a university lecturer, named Frank, and an undereducated Liverpudlian woman, named Rita, in search for higher learning. Being set in the 80’s, the book and its story reflect some of the most pivotal moments in British history for women and their access to learning after leaving school. When we first meet the two characters, we are given the impression that they are the ultimate “ odd” couple.
The first scene opens with Frank searching for a drink in a slightly frantic state. Already we can see that Frank is a dipsomaniac, meaning he likes the odd drink now and again. Frank suddenly receives a phone call from his girlfriend, Julia. No pleasantries are exchanged just a rather rude reply from Frank.
‘ Yes?… of course I’m still here! ‘ After listening to Frank’s passionless conversation, it is clear to the viewers/readers that the relationship between them is less than romantic. This immediately hocks the audience because we are curious to discover why this educated man is so unhappy. ‘ There’s a knock at the door.
.. Frank says his goodbyes to Julia after explaining to her why he won’t be home for dinner tonight. ‘ I shall have to wash away the memory of some silly woman’s attempt to get into the mind of Henry James or whoever it is we’re supposed to study on this course..
. oh God, why did I take this on?!?…
‘ the door knocks again and Frank hangs up the phone to answer the door. In tumbles Rita. Immediately she seems like the kind of person we can relate to and love. The first words that come out of her mouth makes us laugh.
Her language is terrible, she’s loud and not the sharpest tool in the shed but her enthusiasm captures us and brings us to our knees. Rita, straight away, speaks her mind; commenting on various objects around the room. Rita spots a painting that catches her attention due to its content. ‘ It’s very erotic. ‘ Frank is very surprised by Rita’s forwardness.
Frank explains that he hasn’t looked at the picture for about ten years and that he supposes it is erotic.’There’s no suppose about it. Look at those tits. until this day, Frank hadn’t seen the picture as anything but art. We can see that Rita is opening new doors in Franks mind, giving him new perspectives on things. Rita’s character draws us into the play and we are intrigued to discover whether she is successful in her quest for education.
This story isn’t just a tale of romance and struggle of a working class woman. It’s also a great big comparison of two totally different social worlds. Frank most probably went to a private school and Rita most probably went to a comprehensive school. For a night out, Frank would go to a respected restaurant and then to a wine bar where as Rita would pick up some fish and chips to go, then head to her local pub. The audience is hooked to see how the characters relationship will develop especially with obstacles in their way put there by the stories clash of cultures.
It seems unusual that these people would have met on a normal day and most writers would have come up with some silly event to occur for the characters to at least catch each others name but I feel Willy Russel has provided an excellent situation for these two characters to meet. The one thing that you love about this play is its ability to make you laugh. The comedy definitely doesn’t come from the characters actions but is spawned from the brilliant dialogue that is derived from the clash of cultures. Franks vocabulary is very vast. Rita’s is not. Rita speaks very colloquially through most of the play though as her character develops, her accent turns into a posh dialect with Frank in mind.
Frank, stereotypical of a middle class gentleman, speaks in a sophisticated manner using the correct terminology to voice his point of views. Both characters make a dramatic change towards the end of the play from the characters we see in the first scene. As Rita’s educational lessons wear-on, there is a noticeable change in her appearance and personality. Before meeting Frank she didn’t know anything about the arts or literature.
Now she discusses her opinions on literature with the students from the university she is studying at. As I said before, Rita has been putting on a fake posh accent, maybe to impress Frank or maybe to boost her ego. Rita’s dress sense has changed, again maybe for Frank, maybe not. Franks change does not better him; I’m not saying that Rita’s change is for the better, infact quite the opposite. Throughout the play, Frank is hardly ever without a glass of liquor and it is obvious that his drinking doesn’t help his feeling towards Rita’s metamorphosis. From the first scene right up until the end of the first act, Willy Russel makes the audience believe that Rita and Frank are headed for a great relationship together.
Nobody wants them to get together more than the audience does, especially after finding out that they are both in dead-end relationships in which they are not to pleased to be a part of. The flirting that goes on between these two characters is amazing and very well hidden. It’s all in the dialogue. If you were to imagine what Frank and Rita would look like when they were sharing a scene, well, if looks could kill then the play would turn into a massacre; naughty looks would be exchanged, licking of lips and of course raising of eye brows.
I would say, they are so attracted to each other because they are a breathe of fresh air to one another. Things start going down hill when the second act comes into play. Frank becomes jealous of Rita’s acquired friends at the university. She starts to gain her own point of view on the work she is studying and Frank is threatened by that.
Frank becomes very resentful over Rita’s new found persona fuelled by alcohol, the dominating male in him is released and Frank tries to take control over Rita’s educational life, telling her what to do. This creates a lot of tension for the audience. We are left wondering whether they will eventually become enemies.
