Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Gillian Kearney & Philip Bretherton to Star in Library Theatre Company's EDUCATING RITA, Begin. 26 Sept.

By:

The Library Theatre Company is pleased to announce that two well-known TV faces, Gillian Kearney and Philip Bretherton, will be starring in the company's revival of Willy Russell's much-loved classic comedy, Educating Rita.

One of the classic late 20th century plays of British theatre, Willy Russell's laugh-out-loud comedy 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.

Amongst many roles on TV, Liverpool-born Gillian Kearney played Jessica Harrison in BBC1's Casualty and Debbie McGrath in Brookside on Channel 4. Between 2005-2007, she played Sue in Shameless, also on Channel 4. 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.

A graduate of Manchester University, 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, who had an affair with Sally, 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.

Tickets: Monday £12; Tuesday-Thursday evenings, Thursday matinees £15.50, £13.50 (concessions £13.50, £11.50); Saturday matinees £17.50, £15.50 (concessions £15.50, £13.50); Friday/Saturday evenings £20, £18.

Under-21s tickets Mondays £10 (subject to availability); schools and colleges groups £11 plus one free teacher's ticket for every 10 purchased, all performances (subject to availability).

Group deals available for bookings of 10+ Tue-Thu, Sat mat 10 concessionary price, 11th ticket free; Fri/Sat eve 10 full price, 11th ticket free.

Access performances: Captioned Wednesday 2 Oct 7.15pm Audio-Described Thursday 3 Oct 7.15pm (pre-show touch-tour 6.15pm); British Sign-Language Friday 4 Oct 7.15pm.





Don't Miss a UK Regional News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...


BroadwayWorld TV


Funhouse Comedy Club – Comedy Night in Towcester June 2026 in UK Regional Funhouse Comedy Club – Comedy Night in Towcester June 2026
Towcester Mill Brewery (6/25-6/25)
3.2.1. Hold Me on Stage in UK Regional 3.2.1. Hold Me on Stage
theSpaceUK@Surgeons' Hall (8/17-8/23)
Count Arthur Strong - And It’s Goodnight From Me! in UK Regional Count Arthur Strong - And It’s Goodnight From Me!
Stockport Plaza (4/25-4/25)
The George Harrison Project, TAUNTON Brewhouse, Sat 8th Aug 2026 in UK Regional The George Harrison Project, TAUNTON Brewhouse, Sat 8th Aug 2026
Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre (8/08-8/08)
Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes at Islington Assembly Hall - London in UK Regional Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes at Islington Assembly Hall - London
Islington Assembly Hall (4/22-4/22)
Funhouse Comedy Club – Edinburgh Festival Preview All-Dayer in Sheffield August 2026 in UK Regional Funhouse Comedy Club – Edinburgh Festival Preview All-Dayer in Sheffield August 2026
New Barrack Tavern (8/02-8/02)
THE HOPE CONSPIRACY at The Underworld - London in UK Regional THE HOPE CONSPIRACY at The Underworld - London
The Underworld (11/19-11/19)
Claudia Buckley Tour 2026 - Inverness in UK Regional Claudia Buckley Tour 2026 - Inverness
Eden Court Inverness (11/19-11/19)
The Go-Between in UK Regional The Go-Between
New Wolsey Theatre (9/04-9/05)
Count Arthur Strong - And It’s Goodnight From Me! in UK Regional Count Arthur Strong - And It’s Goodnight From Me!
The Stables - Milton Keynes (5/14-5/14)