Rita, Sue and Bob Too – Review – Victoria Theatre, Halifax

By Steve Crabtree, October 2024

Rita, Sue and Bob Too was one of the most iconic British films of the 1980s. Originally a semi-autobiographical play, it was written by Andrea Dunbar, who based Rita and Sue on two girls she overheard talking in a toilet at Keighley market.

The film’s strapline was “Thatcher’s Britain with her knickers down,” and although it received a divisive reaction in 1987 when it hit the big screen, it became a cult hit.

Settling into my seat at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax, we were greeted by ’80s music in the background, and the stage was showcasing images and clips from the defining decade, setting the scene and priming us for the nostalgic yet eye-opening rendition of Rita, Sue and Bob Too, with plenty of laughs along the way.

“Halifax was roaring with laughter”

Firstly, this is a very funny stage play. Halifax was roaring with laughter throughout the two-plus hours, and we all got the enjoyment we had anticipated.

The car-sex scene is a must-see hysterical slapstick moment, followed by the comedic shock of the disposal of the used Durex—a treat! On the surface, Rita, Sue and Bob Too is all laughs and cheeky fun. But, as time has moved on since 1987, and social attitudes have certainly changed, some elements now come across with a much more sinister undertone, which is highlighted effectively.

In fact, it doesn’t take long for these darker tones to emerge. Bob, perhaps once seen as more of a cheeky chappy, has his predatory and narcissistic side brought firmly to the forefront—more starkly than one might expect.

“Blend of humour and despair”

The three main characters have been excellently cast in this production. Bob is played by Dale Vaughan, who balances both the likeable and the dark, seedy aspects of Bob’s character skilfully. There are moments where you feel guilty for liking him, but an underlying hatred is ever-present too.

He is flanked by Polly Lovegrove as Sue and Emma Hooker as Rita. Giggly, vulnerable, coming of age—it’s all there. The audience really warmed to them and loved the characters. They brought the babysitters, Sue and Rita, to life with a delightful mix of mischief and innocence.

As the story progresses from a quick ‘jump’ in the car, initiated by Bob, we are taken into the bleak and barren areas of the Bradford council estate where the girls grew up.

Andrew Ashley plays Sue’s dad. He nails the blend of humour and despair that marked many of the domestic dramas of the time. His interaction with Alison Gibson, who played his wife, brings the political and social tensions of the ’80s into sharp focus—verbal abuse and physical threats, giving as good as you get, and life for the unemployed—all reflections of the very real struggles faced by many at that time.

“Gasps”

Back at Bob’s house, when his wife Michelle realises he’s straying once again, the serious side of the play hits the audience hard. The gasps as her husband slaps a sandwich out of her hand for putting salad in it are shockingly audible.

Equally, the pin-drop silence as he stands over her while she clears up the resulting mess without a word is powerful. Credit to the production for including this extended silence; it set a mood and drove home the message that what was happening here was wholly unacceptable.

The anticipation of Sue’s dad’s reaction to discovering she was dating an Asian boy also skilfully balances the tension and the laughter. Kudos to Diva Productions for toggling between the contrasting elements so effectively.

“Bright lights and ’80s tunes”

From a scenery perspective, various backdrops were projected onto the screen behind—the moors, the estate, the living rooms—which allowed for rapid and seamless set changes. Bright lights and ’80s tunes reinforced the period setting of the story.

What an enjoyable production. This classic has been refreshed without losing its punch. The nuances between comedy and gravity are beautifully teased out, with each scene almost a tightrope walk between the two. Essentially, they’ve skilfully turned yesterday’s jokes into today’s hard truths, while still keeping the audience entertained.

The Halifax audience appeared to love Rita, Sue and Bob Too. We laughed, we thought, and we all sang along to the Black Lace hit We’re Having a Gangbang as the show came to a close.

The play is very much a product of its time, and perhaps that’s exactly why it still resonates.

Images: Creation Studios.