Educating Rita, Minerva Theatre, Oaklands Park, Chichester, Thursday, June 18, to Saturday, July 25

WILLY Russell’s two-hander Educating Rita may be set in the 1980s, but director Michael Buffong believes its theme of self-empowerment through education is still pertinent today.

“The social mobility and politics are just as relevant,” he says on a break from rehearsals with stars Lashana Lynch and stand-up turned respected thespian Lenny Henry.

“Our education system is being eroded away, and education is a key for social mobility. This play talks about that quest. Education is very important – the difference between having an education and not pursuing what you thought you wanted, and not having an education at all is immense.”

Lynch plays hairdresser Susan, who adopts the titular nom-de-plume after one of her favourite novelists. Set entirely in her tutor Frank’s office it charts her progress and personal journey over the course of a year, as she tries to find herself.

“Rita is desperate and hungry for an education, and what she believes it will give her,” says Buffong.

The disillusioned Frank – played by Henry - is initially reluctant to help Rita “find a better song to sing”.

He is a poet who has grown tired of the academic life and crawled off to find solace in a bottle instead.

Rita’s enthusiasm for learning and personal development completely changes his life although as time goes on begins to fear he has created a monster – while Rita finds is catapulted into a whole new world of culture and experience.

It was the chance to work on a Willy Russell play which first attracted Buffong to the project.

“Russell’s writing is incredible,” he says. “You witness Rita’s growth happening in front of your eyes, and it is entirely down to the writing. You don’t have to invest or invent anything – the text gives it to you.”

Following critical acclaim for his stage work in Othello at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, and The Comedy Of Errors at the National Theatre, Henry was already attached to the play – which will be the debut Chichester appearance for both stars and Buffong.

“We were looking for Rita, and as soon as Lashana walked in she blew us away,” says Buffong who is the artistic director of Talawa Theatre Company, which bills itself as the country’s primary Black-led theatre company. “There is a great chemistry between the two of them.”

Henry’s biggest challenge was to portray someone whose character was completely contrary to his own big personality.

“We were looking at what his alcoholism is about, where it comes from and how it plays out,” says Buffong. “Frank grows through the piece.

“The great thing is Lenny has this comic background which really does help with Frank in the way he and Rita bounce dialogue between them. It’s a great addition to the character of Frank, which Lenny either chooses to use or not depending on what’s happening in the scene.”

In Lewis Gilbert’s excellent film version of the play, starring Julie Walters and Michael Caine, there is a memorable drunken scene late at night in the college square.

“There is a drunken scene in the play too,” says Buffong. “When you first meet Frank, who is this poet who never got to the place he wanted to be, you witness him drinking constantly. When it gets to the point where he is drunk you understand it – it makes complete sense in the story. You expect him to behave like that.”

He admits the idea of rehearsing with only two actors initially felt daunting, but he soon found himself absorbed in their world.

“It’s just two characters in this study-stroke-office, but you want to stay there and watch them,” he says. “You want to see how the characters behave and react to certain things. It’s quite an intense experience.”

Starts 7.45pm, (7pm Tues June 23), 2.45pm matinees, tickets from £20. Call 01243 781312.