Friday, June 6, 2025
- Advertisement spot_img

Live performances return to Studio Theatre

Live performances seem like a distant memory, but as the province re-opens Studio Theatre, Perth is delighted to get back on the boards with Educating Rita by Willy Russell. A comedy/dramas about relationships and connection it is the perfect post COVID offering in more ways than one.

“The electricity between these two characters and actors completely enthralls and as the play progresses the two characters switch roles; the teacher becoming the student and the student becoming the teacher,” said Jane Stott, director and Studio Theatre Perth’s artistic director.

The play is about a mouthy hairdresser who crashes into a university professor’s office on a quest to become ‘a different type of girl’ to the one she was. 

Rita (played by Kiara Côté) has joined a literature course in an open university to be tutored by Frank (played by Patrick Bugby), an alcoholic, debauched professor from the upper classes.  Rita’s hunger and determination to improve herself is contagious, while Frank’s flailing attempts to gain control of his job, his love life and his drinking threaten to derail them both.  Both actors are newcomers to Perth. Côté is a Canterbury high school student who drives in from Kanata, and Bugby just moved to Perth, last august.

“I love working with new people.  It’s a bit of a gamble, but it’s working out.  Kiara is brash and vulnerable at the same time.  Patrick is a wonderful young actor and very self-assured,” said Stott.

Meanwhile,  Bugby and Côté are enjoying the character work and Stott’s style.

“What I like about Jane’s directing is she focuses on the characters, and that’s really important to me because I like to build the character all the way back to childhood; and Jane really knows the play, she knows the characters but is open to hearing how we see the characters,” said Côté.

“She’s really good at taking out visions and merging them with hers,” agrees Bugby.

While the entire play takes place in Frank’s tired office, it’s a high-energy performance that promises to delight and entertain.

Without losing sight of COVID Studio Theatre, Perth invites the public to take their seats on November 18, 19, 20, 26, and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov 21 and 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $24 and can be purchased through ticketsplease.ca or at the door prior to performance.  For your post Covid comfort, Studio Theatre Perth will only be welcoming 100 patrons per night or 50 percent of capacity.  Please be advised that masks and proof of double vaccination are mandatory as you enter the theatre.

Article submitted

Hot this week

Smiths Falls Police address crash, bar incident and youth assault in series of responses

SUBMITTED No injuries after collision with hydro pole. Driver facing...

UCDSB to host holocaust survivor Andy Rèti as Tour for Humanity returns

SUBMITTED The Tour for Humanity mobile classroom will return to...

King Charles III Coronation Medal recognizes exceptional Canadians

LAURIE WEIR In a special ceremony hosted by Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston MP...

Impaired charge laid after a collision on Roger Stevens Drive

SUBMITTED A Toronto resident has been charged following a single...

Smiths Falls Police tackle crime with multiple arrests in ongoing theft and IPV investigations

SUBMITTED Two arrested after shoplift investigation On April 9th, 2025, the...

Smiths Falls Police address crash, bar incident and youth assault in series of responses

SUBMITTED No injuries after collision with hydro pole. Driver facing...

Leeds OPP lays obstruct, drug and assault charges following head-on collision

SUBMITTED Members of the Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario...

UCDSB to host holocaust survivor Andy Rèti as Tour for Humanity returns

SUBMITTED The Tour for Humanity mobile classroom will return to...

Fraud charges laid in connection with Elgin-area cat rescue

SUBMITTED The Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police...

Naismith students champion accessibility in Mississippi Mills

SUBMITTED Grade 6 students at Naismith Memorial Public School have made a...

Smiths Falls Police tackle crime with multiple arrests in ongoing theft and IPV investigations

SUBMITTED Two arrested after shoplift investigation On April 9th, 2025, the...

Rideau Lakes council trims tax hike to 5.78%, avoids new borrowing in revised budget

LAURIE WEIR Township council will proceed with a leaner 2025...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img