DIRECTOR Jason Crompton should not have too much trouble encouraging his leading actress to do her homework, especially as she is his wife. Jason directs Natalie Crompton in Willy Russell's classic comedy drama Educating Rita.

Natalie takes the title role of Rita, the Liverpool hairdresser who tries to change her life through an Open University course, in the Phoenix Theatre Company production staged at Chorley Old Road Methodist Church hall from April 13-16. Taking on the role of Frank is Alan Macpherson, who coincidentally, was Jason and Natalie's best man when they married last July.