How does Russell use the opening scene to prepare the audience for the rest of the play?

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Alexandra Kennedy. 10E. July 10th 2002

How does Russell use the opening scene to prepare the audience for the rest of the play?

Willy Russell’s ‘Educating Rita’ sees the first scene introduce many ideas which run throughout the play. The inventive use of such a large opening scene permits Russell to cover many issues and aspects within both character and theme which are extended and covered with more depth later in the play. Key points are introduced right from the beginning which interests the audience and allows them to empathise and relate to the characters quickly, urging them to anticipate the rest of the play. Russell allows us to make conceptions and conclusions about the two characters, something which is covered during the play; A theme which shows that first impressions are often untrustworthy and stereotypical which again makes us empathise with the characters more. These among other themes are opened during the first scene, to start the tremendous change which takes place during the course of the play. Themes of the play discussed later are evident throughout and are opened in the first scene.

The whole play is set inside Frank’s office. The Victorian University set in 1980’s Northern England is briefly described. Within the stage directions we can see Frank’s office, “The walls are lined with books” but we know nothing of the exterior. The directions are clear; Russell wants future directors to use the stage effectively. This is where we see the whole play take place. This unity of place takes away any confusion of setting throughout the play, and allows the audience to see the characters consistently. The audience can see changes within the characters throughout the play more clearly having only one setting because neither Frank nor Rita would act differently due to different surroundings. The choice of staging such a play in only one room makes everything seem important. The play is made more intimate and personal because there are only two characters ever seen. This selective choice of location for the scenes enables the audience to concentrate exclusively on the characters. The traditional Northern University is significant because it shows how times are changing. The University is opening to additional students, and not just the straight degree students. The Open University is enabling people to have a chance at education while other things go on at the same time.

Throughout the play the office seems to change in its meaning and importance to Rita. At the beginning of the play Rita sees the office as a place of refuge and opportunity. While Rita finds refuge she is also very nervous because of the intimacy of one to one tutorship level. Rita is also unaware of the University situation. Rita is obviously inexperienced in such situations; she tests Frank to make sure she trusts him, “I was just testin’ y’”. She asks many questions, trying to learn and understand straight from the beginning, “Do you swear?”, “Do you like that window?”, “Have you read his stuff?” Rita questions Frank to gain insight into what he thinks is acceptable and good. Rita longs to have the mind of Frank, and tries to see through his perspective throughout the play. It isn’t surprising how quickly they open up to each other because Rita is obviously fascinated with Frank, “It’s not often I get to talk to an educated person like you”. Frank is very impressed and shocked at how this, “Silly woman” is actually “marvellous, a breath of fresh air”.

When Frank is first introduced, at the very beginning of the play he is looking along his bookcase. We are led to believe he is looking for a book. However we soon find out that he is looking for a hidden bottle of drink. This supports the theme, "don’t judge a book by its cover". The bookcase provides a barrier between Frank’s different lives. The books symbolise his educated life, the University and literature. Whereas the hidden drink symbolises Frank’s world, where he drinks and uses scapegoats for his problems. We can see this when he blames the eggs and literature for the collapse of his marriage. This idea applies to Frank and Trish. Rita initially sees the exterior people, the fronts, whereas behind these fronts there are the real people, the real problems. Although their actions have a big impact on Rita she still has a lot of respect for them. Rita seems to stand by what she believes in and doesn’t let anything sway her. She is obviously strong minded because she has gone against Denny and her family, and followed her dreams, “I wanna discover myself”. This continues throughout the play. Even though it is tough for Rita, because she has to juggle a job and study, eventually she finds the right balance and is able to successfully make her dreams come true.

Frank’s phone conversation with Julia reflects many different aspects about him. Introducing Julia through the phone call shows the distance in Frank and Julia’s relationship. Placing this conversation so close to the opening of the play offers the audience lots of ideas and feelings about Frank. His relationship with Julia seems unloving, as he makes derogatory and sarcastic remarks towards her, “You should have prepared something other than lamb and ratatouille darling”. Through the conversation and Frank’s drink bottle hidden behind the books we learn that he is extremely alcohol dependent, “I shall need to go to the pub afterwards”. This dependence is shown in other ways, when he initially refuses a cigarette from Rita because he had “made a promise” that he would give up. However Frank seems relaxed about giving up giving up. Although Frank may seem relaxed to the point of destruction, we can see that this is not entirely true. The way he talks to Julia suggests he isn’t very fond of her, “Just pop off and put you’re head in the oven”. Frank does understand what is going on around him. The reason why Rita stimulates Frank so much is because she allows him to be himself. Rita doesn’t want Frank to change because she thinks; at the beginning that he is a good teacher. Frank likes this freedom because it means he can be individual and not have to conform to suit anyone’s desires. When Frank is talking to Julia about his dinner he isn’t bothered about letting her down, or her meal, “If you’re trying to induce some feeling of guilt on me”. Frank talks about his prepared meal, “You could incinerate Ratatouille and it still wouldn’t burn”; Frank drinks while working at the university, he knows this is totally forbidden. The bookcase is again symbolic here because it shows the barrier between Frank’s truths and lies. Although he continues, the University turn a blind eye again and again, until eventually, after Frank takes a lecture drunk even though Frank thinks, “it was the best lecture I’ve ever given”. This is when the University finally take some action. Frank has pushed them to a point of no return, they must hide his ill behaviour, without making the University look bad, and so they package him off to Australia on a sabbatical. Here he University has not burnt, as the Ratatouille wouldn’t because there is no smoke, the University’s image doesn’t suffer, although Frank is finally punished for his actions. Frank has incinerated the University, but there has been no smoke.

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Russell uses this metaphor to show Frank’s own knowledge of his destructive actions. Although it is very difficult for him to change his pathway, it may have been possible because Frank seems to know what is going on, and can see his world spinning faster than he can cope with. This is why Frank seems so upset when Rita has learnt about Blake at Summer School, and why he is so judgemental and interested in her relationship with Tiger. Frank sees Rita at the beginning of the play of something which he can control, and be involved with. As ...

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