MORE than 200 people enjoyed the stage adaptation of Willy Russell's 'Educating Rita,' at the Darwen Library Theatre.

It notched up another sell-out for Steve Birch, theatre manager, and another performance to add to the growing collection of critically acclaimed companies and individuals to grace the stage since the beginning of the season.

The classic tale of Rita and Frank's relationship which is brought about when Rita enrols on an Open University course, is one studied by thousands of GCSE students up and down the country. School children swept through the doors of the theatre en-mass, eager to see how their text would take under the bright lights of the stage.

Roger Cook and Clementina Herrero, from the Leeds Library Theatre Company, gave admirable performances as the drink-dependant academic and the bright hairdresser with a thirst for knowledge.

Rita's transformation, marked her metamorphosis into a cultured student who visited the theatre and talked with other students about literature and art.

The reality was that Rita had lost the charm and the spark she first had when she walked through Frank's door.

Steve Birch said: "It's a really classic tale and it's no wonder that it pulls in audiences of all ages."

Educating Rita, at Darwen Library Theatre