Educating Rita at the Barn Theatre: Full cast and creative team announced

A timeless comedy of class, connection and self-discovery comes to the Cotswolds

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has announced the full cast and creative team for its eagerly anticipated 2025 production of Educating Rita, written by Willy Russell and directed by acclaimed director Stephen Unwin. This Built by Barn production will run from Friday 16 May to Saturday 28 June, with a national press night on Monday 19 May.

Starring Justin Edwards as Frank and Ellie Clayton as Rita, this brand-new staging of the iconic British play promises to be one of the theatrical highlights of the year. Educating Rita tells the story of a sharp, spirited 26-year-old hairdresser with a hunger for literature and life who enrols on an Open University course and finds herself under the tutelage of Frank—a jaded academic with a fondness for drink and a fading passion for teaching.

As Rita’s confidence grows and her world opens up, so too does Frank’s, in a heartfelt and funny exploration of class, culture, and the transformative power of education. It is a play that continues to resonate across generations with its wit, emotional depth, and enduring relevance.

Justin Edwards, recently seen in HBO’s The Franchise, brings a wealth of stage experience to the role, including standout performances in The Lavender Hill Mob at the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, The Comedy of Errors with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and The Ferryman in the West End and on Broadway.

Ellie Clayton, best known for playing Claire in CBBC’s So Awkward and So Awkward Academy, takes on the role of Rita. Her stage credits include The Peaceful Hour at the Royal Court Liverpool, The New Adventures of Peter Pan at the Gordon Craig Theatre, and Scroogilicious at Theatre Peckham.

Educating Rita Cast & Crew: Stephen Unwin, Cory Shipp, John Leonard, Justin Edwards, Ellie Clayton © image by Alex Tabrizi

The creative team features Cory Shipp on set and costume design, Ben Ormerod on lighting, John Leonard on sound design, Ginny Schiller as casting director, and Michael Beer as sound programmer.

Director Stephen Unwin commented:
“I am delighted to be directing Willy Russell’s brilliant social comedy, Educating Rita, at the intimate Barn Theatre in Cirencester. I have great admiration for what the Barn has achieved and am honoured to be included in its new season.”

Chief Executive and Artistic Director Iwan Lewis and Executive Director and Producer Liam McMullan added:
“We are absolutely delighted to bring Willy Russell’s legendary Educating Rita to the Barn stage as the third instalment of our 2025 season. A cast of Justin Edwards and Ellie Clayton, under the direction of Stephen Unwin alongside an incredible creative team, we cannot wait to see this iconic play brought to life on stage at the Barn. It’s going to be special!”

Since opening in 2018, the Barn Theatre has earned national recognition, producing over 20 Built by Barn productions and receiving The Stage Award for Best Fringe Theatre of the Year in 2019. The 2025 season continues a strong tradition of programming, following earlier productions including A Role to Die For, In the Mouth of the Wolf, and leading into Friends! The Musical Parody, Haywire, The Last Five Years, and A Christmas Carol.

Educating Rita runs at the Barn Theatre, Cirencester from Friday 16 May to Saturday 28 June 2025, with a national press performance on Monday 19 May.

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Explore Gloucestershire
23 April 2025

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