Is Educating Rita the first live theatre production for 2021 in our region? Lismore Theatre Company (LTC) producer Kylie Fuad thinks so.

Following the postponement of Educating Rita at Rochdale Theatre Goonellabah back in March 2020, the show is now ready to open on Friday, February 12, bringing live theatre back to Lismore and our region.

In the past 12 months, Educating Rita director David Addenbrooke has had some health challenges - so producer Kylie Fuad has stepped into his directing shoes to bring Educating Rita to the stage - while making some tweaks to stamp her own influence on the show.

"We are so excited to be back," Kylie said. "I’m in constant conversation with David to ensure my work continues the vision he had for this production.

"I’m working in a more detailed way with the actors to further bring out their physicality on stage and creating ‘moments’ that will hopefully evoke many emotions for our audiences.

"The excellent script provides comedy and pathos and a heartfelt journey for both Frank and Rita and our two actors are really bringing this to life for an intimate theatre experience."

Educating Rita is a ‘two hander’ starring experienced LTC actors Elyse Dallinger and Gray Wilson in the roles Rita and Frank.

The plot centres around Rita, a hairdresser who is enthusiastically and newly enrolled in an Open University course in English Literature.

Dr Frank Bryant is her jaded tutor whose love of poetry is on a par with his love of the bottle. The whole play is set in Frank’s office where the dynamic of the teacher-student relationship changes and Rita discovers her own voice.

"Audiences are bound to relate to Rita and Frank," Kylie said. ‘"And the set is amazing, thanks to so many locals who have helped us with furniture and other special pieces."

To ensure audiences are COVID Safe, LTC is limiting audience numbers, instigating various hygiene measures, only offering on-line ticket sales and complying with regulations including use of the ServiceNSW QR registration.

Bookings can be made at http://www.Lismoretheatrecompany.org.au for the nine shows over three weekends, including Sunday matinees.