FOLLOWING its recent success with a production of Oscar Wilde's Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, Riverside Drama Company relies on two of its leading players to deliver the goods in the group's latest offering, Educating Rita. 

Willy Russell's classic comedy, which featured Michael Caine and Julie Walters in a memorable film version in 1983, presents Riverside's star performers in Martin Holtom and Liz O'Hara with an opportunity to emulate their illustrious counterparts. 

Educating Rita centres around a young hairdresser in the early 1980s who is determined to escape from her working class background by improving her education. 

Rita, played by Liz, who works as a teacher at a school in Bramcote, enrols in the Open University where she is assigned to Frank, an ex-poet who is only teaching to subsidise his drinking habit. 

Clash

Martin, who is employed by the Boots Company, is cast as the hard-drinking Frank whose disillusionment with the English course he teaches, contrasts sharply with his new student's thirst for learning and burning ambition to "know everything". 

Frank is concerned that by teaching her the accepted truths, she will lose all that is wonderful and unique about herself. 

The clash of 'cultures' results in a funny play which celebrates the joy of individual expression, as Frank finds himself recapturing some of his former enthusiasm for English and life. 

Together Frank and Rita embark on a voyage of discovery that at least promises friendship, but one that threatens to change both their lives irrevocably. 

Riverside's production, which involves just the two characters, marks the debut as director of on-stage regular Paul Norris. 

Tickets priced £5 adults and £3.50 concessions may be booked in advance by telephoning 0115 8750506 or pay at the door. 

The Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton is the venue for Educating Rita which is being staged on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm each night.