An update on performance and production related news for Earl Carpenter.

2026...

Leicester’s Curve theatre has today announced casting for its upcoming Made at Curve production of Willy Russell’s drama EDUCATING RITA, running in Curve’s Studio Theatre from Saturday 26 September to Saturday 17 October.

Susan ‘Rita’ White, the bright-eyed twenty something with dreams of making more of her life will be played by Alexandra Mardell. Best known for her role as Emma Brooker on ITV’s CORONATION STREET, for which she won the British Soap Award for Best Newcomer in 2019, Mardell is also known for playing Lucinda in BBC’s cult comedy SMOGGIE QUEENS, as well as legal drama WAR (HBO/Sky) and sitcom THE FAMILY PILE (ITV). In 2022, she was crowned winner of STRICTLY COME DANCING’s Christmas special.

Dominic Mafham will play opposite Mardell as her self-proclaimed ‘appalling teacher’, Frank. Mafham’s longstanding stage and screen career includes roles in VIGIL (BBC), KILLING EVE (BBC), THE FRAGILE HEART (Channel 4), OUR MUTUAL FRIEND (BBC), JOURNEY’S END (Duke of York’s Theatre, West End and national tour), THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (Shakespeare’s Globe, US and China tour) and THAT FACE (Orange Tress Theatre).

The roles of Rita and Frank will be covered by Helena Rimmer and Earl Carpenter respectively.

Accessible performances include Captioned (8 October, 7pm), British Sign Language Interpreted (9 October, 7pm) and Audio Described (17 October, 2pm with a Touch Tour from 12:30pm).

EDUCATING RITA runs at Curve Saturday 26 September to Saturday 17 October 2026. Tickets are on sale now. To find out more, visit www.curveonline.co.uk, call the Box Office on 0116 242 3595, or visit in-person.