Harpenden's High Street Players will stage Educating Rita by Willy Russell for their autumn production.

Performances will take place at Katherine Warington School on Thursday, November 14 and Friday, November 15 at 8pm and on Saturday, November 16 at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £10 and are available from Manor Pharmacy in Harpenden, online at hsplayers.org.uk or by phoning 01582 620269.

The cast contains only two actors - with Rita played by Rachel Tegg and her teacher Frank by Mike Lees.

While Educating Rita - which was written in 1979 - is a comedy, Willy Russell's play explores a number of serious issues which are still relevant today.

Director Margaret Cox said: "In an effort to escape from her mundane life as a hairdresser, Rita enrols on an Open University course in literature. Frank, the disillusioned lecturer, would rather be in the pub.

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"Rita has a hunger for knowledge, she wants to know everything. Education can give her choices but Frank thinks she’s marvellous as she is, funny, delightful, charming, he doesn’t want her to change.

"There’s a constant thread of humour throughout the play. Rita’s coarse and vulgar humour and Frank’s dry wit work well together."

The play was made into a 1983 film starring Julie Walters and Michael Caine.