Writer: Willy Russell
Director: Debbie Hannan
Rita is desperate to escape. Trapped by a husband who demands she stay exactly as she is, she seeks salvation in higher education. Enrolling in an Open University course, she even goes so far as to change her name from Susan to Rita in a fierce, immediate bid for a brand-new identity. Enter Frank, a thoroughly disillusioned, alcohol-fuelled tutor who wants to meet her exactly on her level.
While Rita craves a radical, total transformation, Frank is hesitant to alter her raw, unfiltered perspective on literature. The timeless brilliance of Willy Russell’s text shines through as student and teacher discuss classic literature and poetry while simultaneously living out those very themes. When they debate Macbeth, the parallel is clear to the audience: the tragic king cannot escape his own narrative, but Rita is fiercely determined that she can.
The production explores the theme of entrapment, and it is Grace Galloway who totally shines in the title role. Galloway delivers an absolute powerhouse performance, masterfully charting Rita’s complex evolution with a blend of gritty determination, raw passion, and vulnerable bravery. She perfectly captures the fierce hurt of a woman fighting to rewrite her life, living out her personal ethos that if something is rubbish, you put it in the bin and start again.
Opposite her, Richard Conlon offers a wonderfully endearing portrayal of Frank. While there are a few slight opening-night stumbles in delivery, they arguably enhance the performance, mirroring the unravelling, chaotic state of a disillusioned academic who is slowly losing his grip as his student outgrows him. The relationship they develop throughout the performance beautifully illustrates how deeply they change each other; as the student ultimately becomes the master, it becomes clear that they have both provided the mutual salvation the other so desperately needs.
The sound, lighting, and costume design assist in ensuring this two-hander moves along at a pace. Oğuz Kaplangi’s sound design and Michaella Fee’s lighting inject a sharp sense of urgency into the transitions, making the production feel swift while conveying the passage of weeks and months between tutorials. This momentum is complemented by Jen McGinley’s costume design; Rita’s journey is clearly mapped out in her fashion choices, tracking her academic and social evolution over time. Under Debbie Hannan’s sharp direction, the creative team ensures this decades-old story feels important, serving as a poignant reminder of the cost of rewriting your own narrative.
Runs until 13 June 2026 | Image: Contributed
