Critically acclaimed Educating Rita star is alumna Kerri Quinn 
04 February 2016
Willy Russell’s award-winning comedy, Educating Rita, playing at the Lyric Theatre until 05 March, stars Queen’s graduate Kerri Quinn as the wise-cracking, no-nonsense hairdresser from working-class Belfast, in the role of Susan (Rita).
After taking a BTEC HND in performing arts at Belfast Metropolitan College, Kerri came to Queen's to study drama, graduating with a BA in 2004.
One of Northern Ireland’s busiest actresses, Kerri played Sally Bowles in the Mac's production of the musical Cabaret in 2014, having previously taken on the Angie Best role in a UK touring production of Dancing Shoes and that of Anita in West Side Story in the Gaiety Theatre Dublin.
Talking last month to the Irish News, Kerri said: “I came from a very practical base in theatre and performance into a very academic setting which was quite a challenge.
“I always had a desire to act but my study at Queen's took discipline to sit down and present essays. Not having studied English literature at A-level I can totally empathise with Rita. I'm also like her in being vocal and engaging my mouth before my brain," she said.
The reimagined production of Educating Rita also stars Michael James Ford (How Many Miles To Babylon, Mrs. Brown's Boys D'Movie) as Frank and is directed by critically-acclaimed Emma Jordan (God of Carnage, Scorch).
Set in 1980, the play finds Susan ‘Rita’ White, who has decided it’s time for a change, wanting to be the sort of woman who knows the difference between George Bernard Shaw and Shaw’s Bridge. She enrols in an Open University course in English Literature where she meets tutor Frank – a North Down lecturer with a drink problem...who teaches at Queen’s!
And so begins the journey of self-discovery, made famous by Julie Walters in the 1983 film, where she co-starred with Michael Caine.
Inquiries to Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office; tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.
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