The Rivals *** TNT
Lovers’ tiffs, intrigue and deception run rife when the fashionable folk descend on Bath in Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s quintessentially English comedy of manners which was first performed in 1775.
Lydia Languish has had her head turned by too many romantic novels and plans to elope with the man she believes to be a lowly ensign, but who is, in reality, Captain Jack, the son of wealthy Sir Anthony Absolute who, unknown to him, has already arranged his marriage - to the very same Lydia.
Meanwhile a pugnacious Irish baronet and a cowardly country buffoon are all set to draw swords over the capricious young heiress even though she has no interest in either of them, and her cousin (Annabel Scholey’s intelligent Julia) is driven to despair by the self-indulgent insecurities of Tony Gardner’s suspicious Faulkland.
Against the constant backdrop of Simon Higlett’s simple Royal Crescent design, duels are almost fought, misunderstandings are finally sorted out and the true natures of Sheridan’s characters are exposed in all their foolishness.
Director Peter Hall has just turned 80, and the best performances come from the oldest members of the cast - Peter Bowles as an elegant, once racy Sir Anthony who always gets his way and Penelope Keith as Lydia’s guardian, Mrs Malaprop, who, sadly, may not find a husband but is a master at mangling the English language, muddling her “pineapple” with her “pinnacle” and her “alligator” with her “allegory” in this elegantly costumed, sprightly but rather uninspired revival.
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