Letter to the Actress Playing Rita in Educating Rita

Letter to the Actress Playing Rita in Educating Rita

Dear Miss Walters

It has come to my attention that you will be playing the role of Rita

in the production of 'Educating Rita' at the west end. My name is

Steven Spielberg, and I am a Hollywood director, and quite recently I

have taken an interest in the play Educating Rita.

The purpose of this letter is to assist you in understanding the

complex character of Rita so you can perform her authentically.

As you may already know the play Educating Rita focuses on a twenty

six year old woman named Rita who in the beginning of Act one was a

narrow minded, outspoken and socially naive Liverpudlian who is

trapped by her working class life.

Rita desperately wishes to become educated so she goes to the Open

University where she meets Frank her English lecturer. With Frank's

edification she eventually becomes educated however in the process her

character changes very drastically and as a result her relationship

with Frank and Denny her husband deteriorates.

Rita is very determined to study with Frank, affirmation of this can

be found at the beginning on Act one when Frank refuses to teach her,

"I didn't actually want to take this course" after hearing this Rita

leaves the room and dramatically re-enters and says "You are my

teacher - an' you're gonna bleedin' well teach me." Thinking from a

directors point of view this is one of the most important scenes in

the play because this is where the audience attain their first incite

into Rita's character, so it is fundamental that when you recite this

line you speak with a forceful tone.

Rita is a working class woman who has littl...

... middle of paper ...

...eginning of the play. When the play

progresses Rita possibly for the first time in her life thinks

philosophically, "a room is like a planet" she explains to Frank, this

is something that Rita would not have been capable of saying in Act

one.

In conclusion to all of the points made above I believe that Rita does

not truly know what she wants to do with her life. Her relationship

with Frank and her family disintegrates as she becomes more educated.

Although her personality changes in a circular motion she ends up in

the same place as before however this time she has a choice with what

path she wants to take in life whether it be carrying on with her

education or settling down.

I hope that is letter has been beneficial to you and I look forward to

seeing your performance.

Yours Sincerely,

(Director)