A sparkling and stylish revival of Richard Brinsley Sheridan's classic comedy The Rivals is currently delighting audiences at Richmond's Orange Tree Theatre. Under the assured direction of the venue's artistic director, Tom Littler, this production has been cleverly transposed to the 1920s, offering a fresh and hilarious perspective on the Restoration-era farce.
A Timeless Tale of Mistaken Identity
The plot revolves around the wealthy Captain Jack Absolute, played with charming roguishness by Kit Young. To test the sincerity of heiress Lydia Languish's affections, Jack woos her while disguised as a poor soldier named Beverley. His scheme backfires spectacularly when his own father, Sir Anthony Absolute (Robert Bathurst), and Lydia's aunt, the famously verbose Mrs Malaprop (Patricia Hodge), attempt to arrange a marriage between their two charges. Jack suddenly finds himself his own rival, with other suitors also complicating matters.
Littler navigates the play's intricate comic machinations with a deft touch. While retaining the original setting of Bath, he has shifted the period to the 1920s, a move that proves inspired. The decade's shifting social mores and the newfound independence of the era's 'flappers' provide a perfect backdrop for the story's themes of romantic folly and male anxiety.
A Stellar Cast Delivers Laughs
The production is elevated by a uniformly excellent ensemble. Zoe Brough captures Lydia Languish's naïve romanticism with a touch of modern self-awareness, while Boadicea Ricketts shines as Julia Melville, particularly in a moving scene where she confronts her insecure fiancé, Faulkland (James Sheldon). Robert Bathurst is wonderfully histrionic as the pompous Sir Anthony.
The undeniable scene-stealer, however, is Patricia Hodge as Mrs Malaprop. She delivers the character's legendary verbal blunders with a perfectly earnest deadpan, earning some of the evening's biggest laughs. The men, from Young's twinkly-eyed Jack to Sheldon's neurotic Faulkland, are expertly portrayed as the architects of their own downfalls, their melodrama skewering masculine pretension.
Vibrant Energy and Critical Acclaim
The 1920s setting is brought to life with vibrant energy, including bursts of joyful Charleston dancing between scenes. This not only adds period flavour but also underscores the changing world in which these characters navigate love and social standing. The production has been hailed as a perfect post-Christmas pick-me-up, maintaining a high laugh rate while offering sharp commentary on ego and romance.
The Rivals runs at the Orange Tree Theatre until 24 January 2026, with performances from Tuesday to Saturday each week. Tickets are priced between £15 and £60, and the running time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The theatre is conveniently located near Richmond station, making it easily accessible for London theatre-goers seeking a night of sophisticated, well-crafted comedy.
