Follow North East Theatre Guide on
Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuide and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide. Read about JoWhereToGo and its
PR and photography services here.
Sunderland actress
handed lead theatre role
Educating Rita
Durham Gala Theatre
Tuesday 4th to
Saturday 8th
April 2017
The
Gala Theatre in Durham has revealed a north east
actor will take on the lead role in its upcoming production of Educating Rita.
Jessica Johnson |
Sunderland-born
Jessica Johnson will take on the lead as Rita, with Patrick Driver (Silent
Witness and Call the Midwife) taking the helm as Frank.
Written
by Willy Russell, the story became a national hit in 1983, when a screenplay
based on his 1980 stage production starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters was
nominated for three Oscars.
The
production tells the story of Susan ‘Rita’ White, a working class hairdresser,
fed up of her life and with aspirations for better things. Along comes Open
University professor and alcoholic, middle aged academic Frank Bryant.
With
Rita’s brash honesty and Frank’s deep intellect, each inspires the other as
they begin to form an unlikely bond.
Educating
Rita is part of a new drive to produce more work at Gala. It will be
directed by Newcastle-based Rebecca Frecknall.
Jo
Cundall, Gala’s arts programme manager, said: “We are delighted to be bringing
this British theatre classic to Gala audiences.
“Michael
Caine and Julie Waters turned Willy Russell’s heart-warming story into a
seminal BAFTA award-winning film and we hope Jess’s performance as this much
loved character will capture the hearts and minds of Gala audiences.”
Educating
Rita is at Gala Theatre from Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 April, 7.30pm, with 2.30pm matinees on Thursday and
Saturday. Tickets are priced at £15 or £13 for concessions. £12 tickets are
also available for opening night, matinees and Gala members
A
special two for one ticket promotion will also be in place on opening night for
Gala Members.
Booking online: https://www.galadurham.co.uk/galapost/educating-rita/
No comments:
Post a Comment