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29 W ednesday , O ctober 13, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m Artscene Sign up now for guitar,bass, drums,and piano OAKVILLESMUSICSTORE By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The most difficult task forOakvilles Mike Wierenga inhis upcoming role is pre- tending to be something hes not: a drunk. The 44-year-old actor, who recently moved to Oakville, will be playing Frank Bryant in the upcoming West End Studio Theatre production of Educating Rita, which opens tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 14. Frank is a burned-out poet and disillusioned university professor who, being in his 50s, is regretting his age and has taken to drink to drown his sorrows. Its always difficult to play an alcoholic. As an actor you always try to get into the head of the char- acter and since Im not an alco- holic there was a bit of exploration that I needed to do, Wierenga said. However, he added, Its not very practical to get yourself drunk and then remember what youre doing. So the actor found other means to learn how to play a drunk. I did look up a lot of advice from other actors on how to play drunk. There are a few tricks to do it, but they all say an alcoholic is always trying to act sober. The other aspect of the role, playing an intellectual, is easier for Wierenga, who already has a degree and understands the uni- versity world. Needing some cash, the profes- sor, Frank, takes a job as an after- school tutor, however he puts no effort into this work. The story picks up when Frank comes across a young student, Rita, who refuses to accept his aloof attitude to teaching. The two could not be more opposite, Wierenga said. Shes young, brash, loud, in your face and hes a sort of a burned-out drunk intellectual. Rita, a 26-year-old, played by Michelle Ferguson, comes from the wrong side of the tracks and aims to better herself. Frank, on the other hand, does not believe in the intellectual world and ques- tions the value of a university degree. As the play progresses, Rita gains her education to the chagrin of the professor. Though, twice the age of his student, Frank also becomes enamoured with Rita. Frank lives with an ex-student already so hes got a history of dat- ing students, Wierenga said. Hes regretting his age for sure and Rita is kind of focused on getting her education. But Wierenga adds that the comedy is not a romance story. The romance is a bit of a sub- text to the play. It colours it and it is definitely an element, he said. The actor also hopes people come out and laugh. Im hoping when the audience comes to see it theyre primarily going to be laughing and have a good time. Its not meant to be a big head trip, he said. Its going to be a fun night. Anytime you want to go out and see live theatre, no matter what the show is, its always a good night. This show will make you laugh, make you think and it has a pretty brisk pace. The play is directed by Pamela Keyes and produced by John OHara. The play is written by Willy Russell. The production will be staged at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. It runs Oct. 14-17 and 20-23. It plays at 8 p.m. on each day save on Sunday, Oct. 17, when there is a 2 p.m. matin Evening ticket prices are $27 and the matinis $22. The centre is located at 130 Navy St. For tickets, visit www.oakvillecentre.ca. Educating Rita is a comedic affair AT ODDS: Michelle Ferguson who plays Rita in West End Studio Theatres production Educating Rita with Mike Wierenga who portrays Frank, a drunken professor who tutors Rita half-heartedly until the young student wears down the professor as she attempts to secure an education. The play opens Oct. 14 and continues through Oct. 23. MICHELLE SIU / OAKVILLE BEAVER The romance is a bit of a subtext to the play. It colours it and it is definitely an element. Mike Wierenga, actor