Lismore Theatre Company is proud to announce that Educating Rita is back in rehearsal ready to open its 2021 season.
Associate director Kylie Fuad is collaborating with director David Addenbrooke to work with the two actors Elyse Dallinger (Rita) and Gray Wilson (Frank) to bring Educating Rita to the Rochdale Theatre in February 2021.
“David, who hasn’t been very well, asked me to step in so I’m thrilled to bring his vision to the stage with my own touches,” Kylie said. “It’s so good to work with Elyse and Gray once again as they dust off their scripts after such a long break.”
This much-loved play was planned to open in March 2020 when COVID restrictions came into force and all LTC shows for the year were cancelled.
Like many theatres, LTC’s Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah has been in darkness for all of 2020 so the company is very keen to get back on stage.
“It was always intended that Educating Rita would open our season when the theatre resumed shows,” LTC President Sharon Brodie said.
“We just didn’t expect it would be a whole year’s wait. We’ve all missed performing so much! We are grateful to Lismore City Council for waiving our rent but any other costs such as insurance, electricity, security and maintenance continue during this year of no income.”
Patrons who already hold tickets for Educating Rita from earlier this year will be contacted to select their new preferred performance dates and then all new audience bookings will be made on line.
LTC will maintain COVID-safe practices and audiences will be limited to 75% capacity in line with current restrictions so patrons are advised to book early. There will be no tickets available at the door.
There will also be new arrangements for audiences on arrival and during interval to ensure safety.
“Our patron health and safety is our number one goal,” Sharon Brodie said.
Dates: Preview 7.30pm Thursday 11 February (by invitation), opening night 7.30pm 12 February, then 7.30pmSaturday 13 February, and matinee 2pm Sunday 14 February.
Additional shows: Thursday 18, Fridays 19 and 26, Saturdays 20 and 27 and Sundays 21 and 28 February (closing performance).
This article appeared in the Dunoon and District Gazette, December 2020 – January 2021.
