| At a glance | - Sheringham Little Theatre's summer season ends on 16 September, 2006
- For more information call the box office on 01263 822347.
- For this summer's run of productions visit the theatre's website.
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There must be something in the air along our coastline. In so many other resorts the idea of a season of seaside summer plays was consigned to the dustbin years ago, yet we've maintained a thriving tradition. Southwold would be unthinkable without the Summer Theatre, which is being run for the 23rd year by Jill Freud, the actress wife of Sir Clement. The company also provides plays at Aldeburgh. Sheringham's summer repAnd north along the coast, the success of Sheringham Little Theatre has been built on summer repertory which began in the 1960s. It's the first time the theatre's dynamic artistic director Debbie Thompson has taken over producing the season. She's got some impressive backing for the venture: Des Barrit is the theatre's patron. He's one of our top actors and directors who works with the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, yet he still has a passion for small regional theatres. He's one of the people behind Gorleston Pavilion's successful pantomimes and now he's weighed in to support Sheringham. Later in the season he's directing the spoof Dames At Sea, an affectionate send-up of 1930s' screen musicals. Educating Rita | | A scene from the summer rep's Inside Job |
He also directed the opening production - Willy Russell's hit comedy Educating Rita. It was turned into an award-winning film with Michael Caine and Julie Walters but that is soon forgotten here. Rita is a hairdresser in her mid-20s who's determined to get to grips with English literature through an Open University degree. Her tutor is the sad and cynical Frank, a man in his 50s, determined to drink himself to oblivion. It's the Pygmalion legend all over again which we know so well from Bernard Shaw's play and the musical My Fair Lady. But there's a twist: as Rita transforms her life, Frank goes into steady decline. The performance is set in Frank's study, a wonderfully solid book-lined room designed by David Rogers, which makes maximum use of the tiny stage. The action may all happen in one room but we are given a vivid idea of life outside and the unfolding events, thanks to Russell's writing and the acting. Complementary duoJane Stanton is the feisty Rita and is well matched by Anthony Clegg as Frank, who tells her, "There's less to me than meets the eye."  | | Jane Stanton as Rita |
The two are compelling performers who harness our attention. So much depends on them but they never let us, or the play, down for a second. The quick scene changes are well handled to add fluidity to the evening. Much of the humour comes at the expense of literary figures like Ibsen, Chekhov and EM Foster, but it doesn't require vast knowledge to appreciate the jokes since Russell is dealing with universal themes. If the production had a fault it’s the look of Frank who needed to be far more unkempt. For the play's final scene, which revolves around a haircut, he needed a scruffy wig rather than the actor's own short, neat hair! This opening production set high standards in every department and bodes well for the success of the entire season. Sheringham Little Theatre's summer season runs until 16 September, 2006. | 
