In what ways is Educating Rita effective as a play?
'Educating Rita" is dramatically effective in many ways. It is also recognised as an exceptional play; it was voted "Best comedy of the year" when performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1980, and just three years after release, it had become the fourth most popular play in Britain. There are obviously factors which make it so effective, and I intend to explore these factors.
Throughout the play, there are only two characters: this is known as a two-hander. Other characters are only mentioned in the play, but in the film have been cast as parts. It worked well for the film, but I think it lost the closeness which plays such an important part in the theatre. Some people
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Willy Russell uses humour and combines it with his sparkling script using two different kinds of speech to present serious issues such as the role of women in society, alcoholism and class stereotyping. However, a lot of the humour exists simply to further the comedy., for example Act I, Scene
2:
- Rita - why didn't you walk in here twenty years ago?
- Cos I don't think they'd have accepted me at the age of six.
This is effective because it involves the audience and makes it more entertaining. Towards the beginning of the play, the two different kinds of speech were very apparent and clearly defined, for example, in Act I, Scene
2:
Frank's speech is very formal and precise for talking about literature: Frank You must try to remember that criticism is purely objective. It should be approached almost as a science. It must be supported by reference to established literary critique. Criticism is never subjective and should not be confused with partisan interpretation.
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Rita's speech is colloquial, informal, but very lively, vibrant and entertaining: Rita It's crap because the feller who wrote it was a louse. Because halfway through that book I couldn't go on reading it because he, Mr
Bleedin' E. M. Forster says, quote "We are not concerned with the poor" unquote. That's why it's crap. And that's why I didn't go on reading it, that's why.
As the play progresses, the speech reverses as Rita picks up expressions and the language for discussing literature and literary criticism, and Frank's speech becomes more informal when he is talking to Rita. We do not know whether he uses the same speech for talking to others, as we only see him with Rita. A good example of this is when
Rita is discussing Frank's poetry:
Frank Just think if I'd let you see it when you first came here.
Rita I know. . . I wouldn't have understood it, Frank.
Frank You would have thrown it across the room and dismissed it as a piece of shit, wouldn't you?
Rita I know. . . But I couldn't have understood it then, Frank, because I wouldn't have been able to recognise and understand the allusions. All these points make 'Educating Rita' dramatically effective as a
Theorists help us to learn about play and help us progress in relation to approaches and future planning. Vygotsky believed that imaginative play and relationships are important in relation to a child’s learning, and his theory was called the social constructivist theory. He believed that through play a ‘zone of proximal development’ is created, in which a child’s learns at the height of their potential. He argued against Piaget’s theory. Piaget argued that children did not necessarily learn through play but play just showcases and applies what they have already learnt. Piaget’s theory stated that there was two aspects to play – sensory and movement play and imagination, pretend and symbolic play. The McMillian sisters theorised the idea that children would find it extremely difficult to learn, play and develop without good hygiene and good health. Froebel also had strong opinions on the role of play. He believed in the importance of symbolic play, and imaginative play - stating it was one of the best ways for
The acting choices of each version vary in similarity and in quality. Some characters are portrayed differently in the
...ow well they played the part and told the story. Of course, like other directors Lisa Cholodenko wanted recognizable actors in order to achieve a more grand recognition for her work.
Many theorists have tried to define play as a concept, however, no two agree on a set definition. Their backgrounds and induvial lifestyles influence the way they see the importance of play. Reed and Brown also believe that there isn’t an agreed definition of play because is something that is felt rather than done (Reed & Brown, 2000 cited in Brock, Dodd’s, Jarvis & Olusoga, 2009). In spite of this, it is clear that most theorists uphold the ethos that play is imperative to a child’s learning and development. There is a wide range of different studies and theories which helps us develop our own perception of what play is. In my personal experience I have found play to be a way of expressive our emotions, exploring and learning new things, thus
...tly, Miss Finch, I’m not much of a drinker, but you see they could never, never understand that I live like I do because that’s the way I want to live”8
it he is nearly lost in a sea of his thoughts, buses as an example.
he sees around him. He cannot seem to accept the things he sees as beneficial and
characters are left trying to figure out who done what. The best of these movies were filmed by British
Susan Brady Konig wrote "They've Got to Be Carefully Taught", because she wanted to inform us about how to properly educate young kids, as young as preschoolers about where they originated from. She taught them about their cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Teachers are educating their children on what country their ancestors came from and how that makes them all different, but yet somewhat the same by, their skin color, their hair color, the different foods they may eat, and how they celebrate special occasions.
In the story “The Help” written by Kathryn Stockett we are taken back in time to Jackson, Mississippi in August of 1962, were we meet three women by the name of Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter. Aibileen and Minny are black women who work for white families as the help. Skeeter is a young white woman in her early twenties who befriends the other two and gets them to tell their stories of what its is like to be the help. The reluctantly hesitate, but eventually give in knowing that the stories they are telling are more important than the negative impact it could have on their lives.
the film, to create a re-make that is worth going to see. The use of
Just imagine, with an all star cast and a high budget set, this film can have great potential. Our leading man, David Nennius, can be played by none other than the handsome Keanu Reeves and his leading lady, Melissa, can be played by the beautiful half African American and half Caucasian, Halle Berry. The rest of the cast can include Elizabeth Hurley as David's pitiful mother, Mary, Cameron Diaz as Rachel, Robert Downey Jr. as her husband Matthew, Hugh Grant as Quinn, and special appearances by Richard Gere as William Meredith and Bruce Willis as Alasdair (Ally). Of course, we would need about ten to fifteen more extras to fill the roles of characters like Art, Grace, Emrys, David's anonymous father, and the man who gets brutally killed by David.
it looked like rita was going to kiss Frank but she goes to him, ges
the actors and which are not. From some of the sequences presented, it seems tough to
she is, but she had a strong mind on her, so she could overcome the