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

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.

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