A finalist of The Traitors will be making her Reading Rep debut this week, as she takes on the title role of a new production of Educating Rita.
Willy Russell’s famous play sees Madelyn Smedley play Rita, a character she describes as possessing abundance in empathy, drive, and ambition.
“My mum said to lead with empathy, drive and ambition, which Rita has in abundance. What we can all relate to is the want for a better way of living life. Self-belief and Rita’s desire to learn means anything is possible. I love that. Rita’s background does not define her potential. If anything, it spurs her on,” she says.
Joining her is stage and screen actor Julius D’Silva, who will also make his Reading Rep debut as Frank. Julius comes to the production fresh from his role in Singin’ In The Rain at the Royal Exchange Theatre and has an extensive career including credits in Netflix’s Bridgerton and The Crown.
The play continues to explore themes regarding the value of education and self-discovery in a modern culture.
The production is directed by Annie Kershaw, who returns to Reading Rep following her 2025 production of The Maids.
She said: “This play is life-affirming and brilliantly funny, but it also raises interesting provocations about the choices we make in life and how class and gender affect them. It really does have all the elements. I’m excited to see what audiences make of it.”
Annie was the recipient of the 2024 Genesis Future Directors Award and noted that the play raises provocative questions about how class and gender shape people’s choices in life. The production is scheduled to run from 26 February until 21 March.
The creative team includes set and costume designer Cara Evans, lighting designer Adam Jeffery, and composer Holly Khan.
Casting for the production was led by the award-winning team at Jill Green Casting. Madelyn Smedley, who trained at the Guildford School of Acting, has previously appeared in television titles such as EastEnders, Casualty, and Hollyoaks.
When is Educating Rita coming to Reading, and how can I get tickets?
Educating Rita will be performed at Reading Rep Theatre, Kings Road, Reading, RG1 4LY. The production runs from Thursday, 26 February to Saturday, 21 March, with performances starting at 7.30pm.
Tickets can be booked directly through the Reading Rep Theatre website at www.readingrep.com.
For further information or booking enquiries, visitors can access the official theatre website.
The venue is situated within the Reading College campus and is easily accessible from the town centre by foot or local bus services – the Purple 17, Lion 4/4a, Orange 13/14, and 12 route all stop outside.
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