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Rita, Sue and Bob Too: A Modern Classic of British Theatre

Reginald Cox

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Rita, Sue and Bob Too is a groundbreaking play by Andrea Dunbar that premiered in 1982. It tells the story of two working-class teenage girls who have an affair with a married man. The play was a critical and commercial success, and it has been praised for its honest and unflinching portrayal of working-class life.

Background

Andrea Dunbar was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, in 1961. She left school at the age of 15 and began working as a cleaner. In 1981, she wrote Rita, Sue and Bob Too as part of a drama course at the local community center. The play was picked up by the Royal Court Theatre in London, and it premiered there in 1982.

Rita, Sue and Bob Too (Modern Plays)

by Andrea Dunbar

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3797 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	74 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Plot

Rita, Sue and Bob Too tells the story of two working-class teenage girls, Rita and Sue, who have an affair with a married man named Bob. Rita is 15 years old and Sue is 16. Bob is 27 years old and has two children. The affair begins when Rita and Sue meet Bob at a fairground. They are attracted to his confidence and his promises of a better life. However, the affair soon turns sour. Bob becomes possessive and controlling, and he begins to abuse Rita and Sue.

Characters

Rita is a lively and outgoing girl. She is always looking for a good time, and she is not afraid to speak her mind. Sue is more shy and reserved than Rita, but she is just as determined to have a good time. Bob is a charming and charismatic man. He is good-looking and well-spoken, and he knows how to make women feel special. However, he is also a deeply flawed character. He is selfish and manipulative, and he is not afraid to use women to get what he wants.

Themes

Rita, Sue and Bob Too explores a number of important themes, including:

Class: The play is set in a working-class community, and it explores the challenges that working-class people face. Rita and Sue are both from poor families, and they have limited opportunities in life. Bob is from a middle-class family, and he represents the unattainable dream of a better life.
Sexuality: The play explores the sexual awakening of Rita and Sue. They are both curious about sex, and they are eager to experiment. However, they are also aware of the dangers of sex, and they are afraid of getting pregnant. Bob is a sexual predator, and he takes advantage of Rita and Sue's vulnerability.
Coming-of-age: Rita, Sue and Bob Too is a coming-of-age story. Rita and Sue are both on the cusp of adulthood, and they are trying to figure out who they are and what they want out of life. They make mistakes along the way, but they ultimately learn from their experiences.

Critical Reception

Rita, Sue and Bob Too was a critical and commercial success. It won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 1982, and it has been praised by critics for its honest and unflinching portrayal of working-class life. The play has been revived several times, most recently in 2017. It has also been adapted into a film and a television series.

Legacy

Rita, Sue and Bob Too is a modern classic of British theatre. It is a powerful and moving play that explores important themes such as class, sexuality, and coming-of-age. The play has had a significant impact on British culture, and it continues to be performed and studied today.

A Promotional Image For The Play Rita, Sue And Bob Too Rita Sue And Bob Too (Modern Plays)

: A promotional image for the play Rita, Sue and Bob Too. The image shows three young women sitting on a couch. The woman in the middle is wearing a red dress and has her hair pulled back in a ponytail. The woman on the left is wearing a blue dress and has her hair down. The woman on the right is wearing a green dress and has her hair pulled back in a bun. All three women are smiling and looking at the camera.

Rita, Sue and Bob Too (Modern Plays)

by Andrea Dunbar

4.2 out of 5