Educating Rita from a Director's Perspective "Educating Rita" by Willy Russell is a play based on a working-class woman's struggle to become educated . The play has only two characters, Rita, the women seeking education and Frank, her appointed guardian. One of the main themes of the play is the emotional and social changes that occur as the play and Rita's education progress. In this essay, I will write from a director's point of view, how I think certain scenes in the play should be performed. I selected scenes one and three from act 1 and scene 4 from act 2 because I believe these scenes represent the changes that occur in both characters throughout the play. Act 1, scene 1 ============= I chose this scene because I think it shows the contrasts between the two characters when they first meet. The entire play is performed in Frank's office with only two characters, Frank and Rita, constantly interacting on stage. I do think, however, that it would help the audience visually, when either character is describing a past memory or event, if the characters in that situation took the stage and acted out those experiences mentioned (without sound) as they happened. and as they are told. the office must be very simple, there are three walls, the fourth is removed so that the public has a “fly on the wall” point of view. The door is to the right of the stage and leads directly to the stage. Frank's desk is in the far corner of the room with a large window behind him. At the start of this scene, Frank moves around his office with a dim spotlight trained on him. Bookcases are placed on each wall. The door leads off stage, this is to add an element of curiosity and surprise when Rita first knocks on the door. When this incident occurs, another light should be focused directly on the door. Rita then starts knocking on the door to try to open it; Frank simply says “come in” repeatedly. This sequence is essential to represent the essence of the piece.