Available Formats
Paperback, New Edition - New ed
Published: 1st October 2007
Paperback, New Edition - New Edition
Published: 10th August 2006
Paperback, 2nd edition
Published: 10th August 2023
Educating Rita
By (Author) Willy Russell
Edited by Steve Lewis
Volume editor Steve Lewis
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Methuen Drama
1st October 2007
New Edition - New ed
United Kingdom
Tertiary Education
Non Fiction
822.914
Paperback
192
Width 129mm, Height 198mm, Spine 12mm
210g
'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
Educating Rita, which portrays a working-class Liverpool woman's hunger for education, 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 Steve Lewis.
'Russell's deft two-hander has as much to say about education, art and power and 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 *
Willy Russell, born in Whiston near Liverpool, is one of the most popular and successful contemporary playwrights whose works are studied in schools and colleges. His plays include: One for the Road, Stags and Hens, Educating Rita, Blood Brothers, Our Day Out and Shirley Valentine.