AWARD-winning play Educating Rita is to be brought to the stage by the Trowbridge Players.

The group is taking on Willy Russell's classic work which was made into a film in 1983.

The film won an Oscar nomination for Michael Caine and he and Julie Walters each won BAFTAs.

In the Players' production Nadine Comba takes the role of Rita, a young working

class hairdresser who tries to better herself through an Open University course.

Mark Rhodes plays Dr Bryant, an English Literature tutor with a drink problem who learns as much from Rita as she does from him.

The Players traditionally put on spring and autumn plays as well as a pantomime but in this their 35th year, they have plans for an open-air summer production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The group is also looking for suitable premises to provide a permanent scenery store.

Educating Rita will be at the Arc Theatre from the April 28 to May 1. Tickets are available from the box office on (01225) 756376.