Rivals

About the Play: In Bath, England in 1775, the locals are concerned about such matters as young girls reading books from the circulating library and arranging beneficial marriages for their young men. Apart from this, they believe that they are engaging in daring, covert intrigues with romantic partners. In fact, they are engaged in some of the most hilarious misunderstandings ever to be presented on the stage. Eventually, a series of duels between imaginary rivals culminate in a comically absurd series of revelations.

About the Playwright: Richard Brinsley Sheridan wrote only a few plays, but all of them are considered satirical masterpieces. What sets them apart is that they focus on universal human frailties, making them funny and fresh for audiences today.  His plays The School for Scandal, The Critic and The Rivals have been consistently revived on the stage since their debuts during the English Restoration.