A Made at Curve Production

Educating Rita

Sat 26 Sep - Sat 17 Oct 2026

Synopsis

It’s never too late to start again.

Join us this Autumn for our new Made at Curve production of the Olivier Award-winning Best Comedy, EDUCATING RITA.

Written by Willy Russell, the legendary playwright behind titles including BLOOD BROTHERS, SHIRLEY VALENTINE and OUR DAY OUT, this iconic comic-drama is both “painfully funny and passionately serious” (The Sunday Times).

Bright-eyed twenty-something Susan ‘Rita’ White dreams of making more of her life. Armed with an interest in literature and unwavering determination she enrols in the Open University, forming an unlikely friendship with disillusioned and dishevelled Frank – her self-proclaimed “appalling teacher”. Through their weekly tutorials, they challenge each other into a life-changing journey of self-discovery.

Directed by Cara Nolan (WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, PRIDE & PREJUDICE) with Alexandra Mardell (CORONATION STREET, ITV, SMOGGIE QUEENS, BBC) as our Rita and Dominic Mafham (VIGIL, BBC, KILLING EVE, BBC) as Frank, this “comic, heartfelt and enduring” (The Guardian) play will leave you uplifted and encouraged to find your own path to fulfilment.

Age guidance: 14+
Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes, including a 20 minute interval
Show warnings: This production contains strong language, references to alcohol use, suicidal thoughts, sexual content, emotional abuse and smoking of herbal cigarettes on stage.

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THEATRE DAY
Thu 15 Oct, 10am
Learn more about the creation of the production and get behind-the-scenes insights from the show team at this exciting morning event.
Click here to find out more.

Tickets

£7.50 off* Tue – Fri/£5* off Sat mat Under 16s
£5 off* 16-26 yrs and/or Students (with a free 16-26 & Student Loyalty Pass), and Curve Connect (Tue – Fri)
£20 tickets* Under 18s School Groups (Tue – Thu)
£5 off* Groups 8+ (Tue – Fri)
15% off for Loyalty Pass Holders and Supporters Scheme (Excludes Previews)
2-4-1 tickets for Supporters on Thu 1 Oct, 7pm

Reduced price preview tickets are available online or through our Box Office.

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ACCESS PERFORMANCES

Captioned: Thu 8 Oct, 7pm
Captioner: Cara Lawless

British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted: Fri 9 Oct, 7pm
BSL Interpreter: Stacey Green
Stacey will be interpreting from the right hand side of the stage, as you are facing it.

Audio Described: Sat 17 Oct, 2pm with Touch Tour from 12.30pm
Audio Describers: Talking Sense Audio Description Services – Nadine Beasley and Kate Taylor-Davies

For more information about our Access Performances, please click here. Access performances at Curve are kindly sponsored by David Wilson Homes.

*Discounts are subject to availability and may be removed at any time. Only valid on certain performances - terms and conditions apply.

*Please note all orders are subject to a non-refundable £2.00 booking fee. Free events are excluded.

Credits & Acknowledgments

By Willy Russell

Director Cara Nolan
Set and Costume Designer Michael Taylor
Lighting Designer Katy Morison
Sound Designer Jack Baxter
Wigs, Hair & Make-up Designer Cynthia De La Rosa
Casting Director Richard Johnston for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting
Production Manager Laura Haynes
Associate Director Martha Kent
Birkbeck Trainee Assistant Director Bentleigh Nesbit
Costume Supervisor Eden Lorinson
Wigs, Hair and Make-up Supervisor Jenni Tebbutt
Props Supervisor Noah Cousins for ROC Props
Dialect Coach Sally Hague

Book a Ticket

Alexandra Mardell

Dominic Mafham

Helena Rimmer

Earl Carpenter