Theatre@41, York – until Saturday 13th June 2026
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
4****
Theatre@41 in York is currently showing Black Treacle Theatre’s latest production, Educating Rita, by well-known playwright Willy Russell.
Under the direction of Jim Paterson, this two character piece follows the story of Rita (Flo Poskitt), a married working-class hairdresser from Liverpool. She is wanting to find herself, she feels like she needs more, and wants to broaden her horizons. She tentatively enrols in an Open University course in literature. Her tutor, Frank (Jamie McKeller), is a disillusioned university lecturer, who only took her on for the extra money, to waste away on drink and frequenting the pub. He doesn’t want to be there, she does.
The character development throughout the play is particularly impressive. Both their outlooks on life begin to change with their evolving relationship, forming the emotional heart of the play. Rita transforms from someone seeking change into a more confident and independent individual, I suppose just what she was after. This comes at a price though, she loses her identity, becoming someone who we don‘t recognise. At the same time, Frank begins to question his own attitudes and choices and he becomes a better man, until things spiral.
With the help of Set and Prop Designer, Richard Hampton, Lighting Designer, Sage Dunn-Krahn and Stage Technician, Victoria Ryan, the stage is set exactly how it should be, taking place solely in Frank’s office. Quite simple but effective. This means that the audience can focus on Rita and Frank, and their interactions with each other.
Both Poskitt and McKeller are gripping to watch in this dialogue laden work, you can’t help but be fully engaged by their characters. Rita is played with humour, honesty and energy, but underneath there is insecurity. Frank is jaded, sarcastic and intelligent. These qualities create an interesting relationship, exploring themes such as education, class, identity and personal growth. The chemistry between the two is convincing and kept the audience invested in their evolving friendship.
This production of Educating Rita is witty, moving and thought-provoking. Throughout, the play balances comedy and drama effectively, with the hunt for the bottle behind the books drawing the biggest laughs. It fully engrosses the audience in the two characters, highlights the transformative power of education, and keeps the humour sharp. I was thoroughly engaged throughout this emotional rollercoaster of a show.
York has such a strong amateur theatre community, and Black Treacle Theatre continues to uphold this tradition with their excellent production of Educating Rita.