Choose at least two scenes from the play, which show how Rita changes as the play progresses. Explain how you would direct an actress playing Rita in these scenes to highlight these changes.

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 Robert Richardson                                    Educating Rita - coursework

Choose at least two scenes from the play, which show how Rita changes as the play progresses. Explain how you would direct an actress playing Rita in these scenes to highlight these changes.

The first scene I have chosen to direct is Act One, Scene One. This scene is important because it sets the scene for the rest of the play and because it introduces the audience to both Rita and Frank.

The audience initially sees Rita as an uneducated working class woman. An actress playing Rita would need to act very over the top. I would suggest that the actress wears a pink mini skirt and tight top because this would show her uneducated status. The actress would need to talk with a very distinct ‘scouser’ accent and use slang words as this would emphasise her lack of education and poor background. Also, the actress needs to be moving about in ways that are typical of a Liverpudlian woman.

In terms of her relation to Frank and the way the actors interact on stage, Rita needs to like Frank but only out of respect. At this point in the play she does not know Frank and does not feel comfortable.

A key moment in this scene is when Rita reveals her personality by saying

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“ I talk to much I know I do, I don’t at home, but I don’t usually get to talk to someone like you Frank.”

Here the actress playing Rita needs to walk aimlessly around the stage reciting the words she has to say. I want her to do this, as this would show her excitement and willingness to learn.

Another key moment in the scene is when Rita struggles to get in to the classroom. This is important because it is a physical representation of the battle Rita is fighting with her subconscious by trying to learn and rediscover ...

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