Wallasey film director’s cult classic returns to stage in New Brighton

A classic 80s cult movie is set to hit the stage in the home town of its director when the hilarious show Rita, Sue and Bob Too opens at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton this month.

Based on the 1987 movie it tells the story of Rita and Sue, two working class girls from a rundown council estate who are about to finish their final year at school who in their spare time, the pair earn money by babysitting for married couple Bob and Michelle.

The original movie, based on a stage play by Andrea Dunbar, was directed by Alan Clarke from Wallasey, who also directed many other films and TV shows in his long career.

According to IMDB Alan Clarke had moved to Canada which is where he studied acting and directing before coming back to the UK and starting work at ITV and moving across to the BBC in 1969. 

Although most of Alan Clarke’s work was in television – including the TV movie Made in Britain (1983) which featured an early performance by Tim Roth, much of his work, including his feature films, focused on the British working class including Scum (1979) before Rita, Sue and Bob Too. 

Now Rita, Sue and Bob Too based on his cult classic is being brought to the stage in New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion with TV favourite Jake Quickenden heading the stellar cast as Bob in the production.

Jake will be joined by Hollyoaks’ Jessica Ellis as Michelle, Shameless and Coronation Street’s Warren Donnelly as Dad, Britain’s Got Talent’s Siobhan Phillips as Mum, Kay Nicholson as Rita and Jenna Sian O’Hara as Sue.

The production hits New Brighton next month (February 26 to March 2) and tickets are still available now from the Floral Pavilion at Rita, Sue & Bob Too! - Floral Pavilion