Cast: Library Theatre’s Educating Rita

The play was inspired by the author’s experiences of returning to education as an adult. Brash hairdresser Rita wants to better herself; world-weary lecturer Frank is ready to give up. But in need of some extra cash, he agrees to tutor Rita, totally unaware of the whirlwind about to enter his world.

Directed by Chris Honer, the Library Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, the production runs at The Lowry in Salford between Thursday 26 September – Saturday 12 October 2013.

Liverpool-born Gillian Kearney played Jessica Harrison in BBC1’s Casualty and Debbie McGrath in Brookside on Channel 4. She also played Sue in Shameless. On stage in Manchester, she was Cordelia in William Shakespeare’s King Lear, and Lucy in Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The Rivals, both at the Royal Exchange.

Preston-born Philip Bretherton played Alistair Deacon in nine series of BBC1’s hugely popular sit-com As Time Goes By. He also appeared as scheming football manager Stefan Hauser, a role loosely based on former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, in ITV’s hit drama Footballers’ Wives, and appeared as car sales manager Ian Davenport, in ITV’s Coronation Street.

His last appearance with the Library Theatre Company was in Alan Ayckbourn’s Joking Apart in March 1990 at the Forum Theatre in Wythenshawe, also directed by Chris Honer.