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

The first 200 words of this essay...

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