The Rivals
by Sheridan
The Rivals, Sheridan’s first play is a portrait made of material from his own life. A romance told with great wit and emotion, The Rivals is one of the funniest jewels of late-Restoration comedy. In order to woo the idealistic Lydia Languish, to whom wealth means little, Captain Absolute offers himself to her as a poor Army officer. Standing between the two lovers is an extraordinary collection of comic characters: the captain's acrimonious father, Sir Anthony Absolute; Lydia's quick-tongued aunt, Mrs. Malaprop; and the affable Bob Acres, the captain's friend turned rival. At the same time an equally fraught love match runs between Lydia’s great friend and confident Julia and her almost insanely jealous beau Falkland.
