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‘Educating Rita’ At Latrobe Performing Arts CentreLatrobe City’s performing arts and venues coordinator, Kathleen Roberts, said that the play starring Lisa Chappell (McLeod’s Daughters) and David Downer (All Saints) will appeal to all theatre goers and is a timeless classic. By Latrobe Shire Council - 6th June 2007 - Back to News Latrobe City’s performing arts and venues coordinator, Kathleen Roberts, said that the play starring Lisa Chappell (McLeod’s Daughters) and David Downer (All Saints) will appeal to all theatre goers and is a timeless classic.
"Frank is a cynical, burnt out English professor, who drinks far too much whiskey. Rita is a hairdresser and a bit naive. She has however a wonderful and indeed desperate thirst for knowledge and she chooses Frank of all people to introduce her to ‘culture’.
"Frank soon discovers that Rita has a lot more common sense than the so-called educated class within which he moves. He begins to fall in love with Rita for her zest for life, her almost childlike qualities and her simple, natural intelligence. But Rita’s life soon changes in this new environment. Two very different worlds then collide, merging to produce a charming human comedy and a wonderfully entertaining modern day Pygmalion," Ms Roberts explained.
"Written by Willy Russell, the playwright behind the ever-popular Shirley Valentine, Educating Rita is full of witty lines, insight and charm," Ms Roberts added.
Ms Roberts said that the play’s two stars are both popular and talented actors, with a wide range of television, film and stage credits between them.
David Downer is a NIDA graduate with many years’ of stage and television experience in Melbourne, Sydney and the UK. He has worked with many well known actors including Vanessa Redgrave and has most recently appeared in the hospital drama ‘All Saints’ playing the character, Colin Blackburn.
Lisa Chappell’s film, theatre and television experience spans the Tasman Sea as Lisa regularly works in New Zealand where she was born, as well as Australia, where she trained at The Actors Centre in Sydney. She is best known for her much-loved character Claire McLeod in ‘McLeod’s Daughters’. Lisa has three Logies to her name including 2002 for Best New Female Talent, and Silver Logies in 2003 and 2004.
Ms Roberts said that as well as the strong on-stage performances, the HIT Productions team are well known for their talents in direction, set and lighting design.
"All these elements add up to ensure that theatre-goers will enjoy a professional and powerful production of this much loved play," Ms Roberts concluded.
‘Educating Rita’ will show on Wednesday 27 June at 8pm, at the Latrobe Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon. For ticket enquiries or more information, telephone the box office on 5176 3559.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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