Korean Production Recasts 'Educating Rita' as a 40-Something Story
Creatrip Team
6 months ago
A Seoul theater company opened a new production of British playwright Willy Russell’s Educating Rita on Feb. 6, adapting the protagonist’s age from her original 20s to her 40s to better fit Korean social context. The role of Rita—traditionally a young woman who returns to study and grows through her relationship with a cynical professor—will be played by three experienced actresses: Jo Hye-ryun (56), Choi Yeo-jin (43) and Yoo In (39). Directors cast older actresses to make the premise—that a late-in-life student has the courage to change—more believable to local audiences. Jo said she relates to Rita’s rediscovery of missed opportunities; Choi and Yoo also noted personal parallels as late starters in their own careers. The production runs at Art House in Daehangno through April 26. (Daehangno: Seoul’s theater district)
