Award-winning Scottish film and television actor Gray O’Brien (Coronation Street) will take on the iconic role of Frank in Perth Theatre’s production of Educating Rita from 16 March-1 April.

O’Brien will be joined by Rachael-Rose McLaren in the role of Rita. Emerging talent Rachael-Rose was last seen in Perth Theatre in November 2022 in the sell-out National Theatre of Scotland production Enough of Him about the Perthshire slave Joseph Knight and his bid for freedom.

Directed by Martin McCormick, Willy Russell’s hysterical, thought-provoking modern classic premiered in 1980 at the RSC and went on to win multiple awards as well as being adapted for a feature film starring Julie Walters and Michael Caine. 

Still as relevant and powerful more than 40 years after it first hit the stage, Educating Rita centres around the relationship between Rita a working-class hairdresser with a thirst for knowledge and disillusioned university lecturer Frank.

Martin McCormick said: “I’m thrilled to be directing Educating Rita as it's very much what I’d consider to be a modern classic.  It’s the typical clash of cultures formula between teacher and pupil that can be traced back to Pygmalion and beyond. Rita seeks to enlighten herself with the help of university professor, Frank. There is loads going against her; family, class, her gender.  But the major stumbling block is Frank himself!

“Educating Rita contains all the hallmarks of what audiences love in a play. It's funny, entertaining, thought-provoking and- even after the 40 plus years since Willy Russell wrote it - very relevant.”

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