Rehearsals for The Sherman Theatre Company’s production of Educating Rita have kicked off to a great start despite a few nerves from its stars! Educating Rita, which stars renowned Welsh actors Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs will run The Sherman Theatre from 1 – 17 June. Ruth Jones, best known as Little Britain’s long suffering barmaid Myfanwy was born in Porthcawl and studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama before finding success in popular television shows Little Britain, Fat Friends and Nighty Night. Ruth will be making her Welsh professional stage debut in the production. Ruth comments: “It’s a little scary being back on the stage after concentrating on TV for the past few years – Me and Steve have to remind ourselves we can’t ask for another take on stage like we can in television! It’s a great challenge though, and I’m enjoying getting my teeth into Rita – she’s a great character.” Steve Speirs is from Troedyrhiw in the Taff Valley and is best known as the infamous Dullard in Ricky Gervais’s hit BBC show Extras. Steve has just finished filming Pirates of the Caribbean 2 with Johnny Depp, and Eragon with John Malkovich. He adds “One of my very first performances on stage was at The Sherman as a Youth Theatre member, so it’s fantastic to be back! Frank and Rita’s relationship is intriguing, and to work on it with Ruth, who as well as being a great actress is also a close friend is great.” Educating Rita which opens on Thursday 1 June, will set Willy Russell’s much loved classic in modern day Cardiff and use music from young Welsh females including Jem, Cerys Matthews and Amy Wadge. Made famous by Julie Walters’s memorable performance as Scouser hairdresser Rita in the 1983 film, the story was originally set in Willy Russell’s native city of Liverpool but as Phil Clark comments, “The issues of the play are universal, and I wanted to create a stage version which could be topical and relevant to Welsh audiences. Ruth and Steve are two fantastic Welsh actors who I think will bring a lot of life to these characters and their story.” Educating Rita will run from 1 – 17 June at The Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. For more information on performance times please see The Sherman’s website – www.shermantheatre.co.uk. Tickets are £15 (£12 Reductions) and can be booked from the Box Office on 029 2064 6900. |
| Sherman Theatre web site: www.shermantheatre.co.uk |
| Jenny Boyatt e-mail: mo2@ Shermantheatre.co.uk |
Monday, May 15, 2006 |
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