rita is dissatisfied with the routine of her work. she signs up for an open university course in english literature. the play opens as 'rita' meets her tutor, frank, for the first time. frank is a middle-aged, alcoholic career academic. he has taken on the tutorship to pay for his drink. the two have an immediate and profound effect on one another. frank is impressed by rita. he is forced to re-examine his attitudes. rita finds a new self-confidence. frank's bitterness and cynicism return. he notices rita beginning to adopt the university culture he despises. rita becomes disillusioned. the play ends as frank is sent to australia.