Rochdale Theatre, the home of the Lismore Theatre Company (LTC), will open its doors for its 50th season on Friday March 20 with the classic play Educating Rita.

The Will Russell play first featured in London in 1980 winning Best Comedy of the Year and became increasing popular through the 1983 film starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters.

Last night I was invited to watch the first full dress rehearsal for Educating Rita.

Apart from the fact that this is classic play, what strikes is you is how difficult it must be for the two actors, Elyse Knowles and Gray Wilson. They not only know their lines already but they command the stage for the entire performance. There is no supporting cast in the Educating Rita stage play.

Experienced local actor Elyse plays the role of Rita, a 26 year old hairdresser who has enrolled in Open University against the wishes of her husband Denny who wants her to have a baby.

Frank, her jaded university professor, played by the equally experienced Gray Wilson, has never had an Open University student and is challenged by Rita’s honesty and enthusiasm.

If you are not familiar with the move or the play think My Fair Lady where a younger woman is educated by an older and seemingly wiser man only to find that the power dynamic can change.

These two strangers from different backgrounds get to know each other as teacher and student and the power tilt in their relationship see-saws as the student Rita becomes the teacher in matters of real life. 

Elyse Knowles has the difficult task of learning a Liverpudlian accent to play the role of Rita. She said that she starting learning the accent after she was cast in the role of Rita last December.

"I've started feeling a lot more comfortable with the accent in the last four weeks" she told me last night. "I have a very structured approach and all the vowels and some consonants are specific to that accent and you play with that. Then there's a moment when it all clicks together and you can just jump into it", Elyse explained. "So, much so that I broke into the accent on the bus the other day".

David Addenbrooke, who directed Hedda Gabler and Sylvia Plath for LTC, is Director for this show ably assisted by Producer Kylie Fuad. 

David has a long stage history, directing plays for 50 years. What was the attraction for Educating Rita? "I like the two actors that I am working with very much and I love working with theatre and this is a great group of people" was David's response. He went on to add " this is a damn good play, it has survived the test of time".

Kylie has been involved with the LTC for thirteen years working with David as an actor and thought she would love to work with him on the other side a play.

Kylie says ‘Every amateur production relies on the passion and generosity of actors, crew and supporters. In this as most LTC productions, publicity shots are by skilled professional photographer Richard Johnson who not only comes to the theatre but on location for specific photos such as Lismore Library with the permission of Lucy Kinsley and team.‘

‘The wonderful furniture in the set is largely thanks to Adam Bailey from NR Collectables who provided items from his shop, storage shed and personal collection.’ Kylie says, ‘and the set is painted by local artist Kim McLean.’

In addition to the eight advertised performances, the Rotary Club of Lismore has booked a charity preview night on Thursday 19 March and Jodies Inspiration has booked a special night on Thursday 2 April. There are also plans for a schools matinee on Thursday 26 March. 

Bookings for the eight performances on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday matinees can be made through LTC website www.lismoretheatrecompany.org.au