The Rivals

The Rivals

Blackbird Theatre
Vancouver East Cultural Centre, to January 23 2016

“A masterful bit of classic theatre… a delightful way to start a new year.” Vancouver Sun
“It’s a treat to see a classic so well realized.” Georgia Straight

This brilliant 18th-century comedy of manners follows the rollicking misadventures of Jack Absolute and Lydia Languish, a pair of young lovers whose courtship is beset by mistaken identities, rival suitors, overbearing matrons, and abundant misunderstandings.

“He is the very pine-apple of politeness!” (Mrs. Malaprop gives high praise to our hero)

In 1775, 23-year-old Richard Brinsley Sheridan was challenged to a duel by a romantic rival. He participated with reluctance, was stabbed in the abdomen, and nearly died. Afterward Sheridan found himself low on funds and decided to cash in on his temporary notoriety, writing The Rivals in a couple of months.  It’s a daring and irreverent comic masterpiece – and quite possibly the best first play ever written.

“Sure, if I reprehend any thing in this world it is the use of my oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs!” (Mrs. Malaprop, talking about… we’re not sure what)

pictured above:  Emma Slipp, Luisa Jojic; photo by Tim Matheson