A comedy of love and manners...
In the summer streets of Bath, social climber and “pineapple of politeness” Mrs Malaprop is determined to make her niece Lydia Languish a fortuitous match. Lydia, however, fuelled by an excessive indulgence in romantic fiction, has other ideas and plans to fall in love with a penniless man. Enter the inconveniently wealthy Captain Jack Absolute who, in an attempt to fulfil Lydia’s romantic ambition and capture her heart, disguises himself as a poor soldier – with hilarious consequences!
An elegant comedy of manners, The Rivals was inspired by Sheridan’s own romantic entanglements, which fed the gossip-mongers of his day with endless scandal and tittle-tattle. This, his first and most loved play, will be brought to life by director Dominic Hill (Crime & Punishment) and stars Maggie Steed (Lark Rise to Candleford) and Desmond Barrit (The History Boys).
An Everyman & Playhouse, Bristol Old Vic and Citizens Theatre co-production
As uproariously funny today as it was in 1775
The Telegraph
Fun in spades: it rollicks along, with its tongue always fully in cheek
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CAST

Desmond Barrit
Sir Anthony Absolute

Nicholas Bishop
Faulkland

Lucy Briggs-Owen
Lydia Languish

Lily Donovan
Lucy

Keith Dunphy
Sir Lucius O’Trigger

Henry Everett
David

Jessica Hardwick
Julia Melville

Julie Legrand
Mrs Malaprop

Lee Mengo
Bob Acres

Shaun Miller
Fag

Rhys Rusbatch
Captain Jack Absolute
COMPANY
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Writer
Dominic Hill
Director
Tom Rogers
Designer
Howard Hudson
Lighting Designer
Dan Jones
Composer
Jennie Falconer
Costume Supervisor
Ed Madden
Assistant Director