This touring revival of the 1980 Willy Russell comedy drama play stars Jessica Johnson as Rita/Susan the working class Scouse hairdresser trying to get an education by taking an Open University course and Stephen Tompkinson as her alcohloic tutor Frank
It was a 2 hander with one set (his office) but changes of Rita/Susan’s outfits to show different days.
It was funny – although some of the jokes required an awareness of 1980 to get them. It showed how both characters helped each other grow.
They had no programmes due to covid and the audience seating was socially distanced. The theatre had also changed the stalls so that the seats that were cushions in the pit in front of the stage were regular seats.
Despite masks and the reduced audience numbers laughter could still be heard.
8/10
