The Rivals

 

The Rivals

Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Performed by Exeter Drama Company

On Friday 14th march 2025 at Longdown Village Hall, Longdown

Directed by Ian Guy and Ivanhoe Norona

 

 

Sheridan’s 1775 restoration and satirical comedy centers around the love affair of Lydia Languish with Captain Jack Absolute. Apparently when first performed it was five hours long but thankfully reduced to a mere three hours for this production. Whilst watching this production the time flew by as it looked fabulous and the performances were captivating. The cyclorama was painted as a version of The Royal Crescent of Bath, where the play is firmly set, and the side flats were that of a panelled drawing room. With minimal stage props used to represent the scene locations such as an occasional table with a brocade padded chair allowed the scene changes to flow easily with minimal use of blackouts. Lit mostly with whites and yellows the play is performed well by a talented cast.

Captain Jack, this actor was perfectly cast as he is looked every inch an aristocrat, dressed in a red brocade coat and black waistcoat, black breeches, white shirt with decorative lace collar and cuffs, tights and buckled shoes. With great diction and an excellent stage presence he swapped characters from Jack to his pretence as Beverley the Ensign, changing to a thick country accent, as he courts Lydia. Lydia wishes to marry for love and not money and is therefore enthralled with the idea of eloping with the ensign Benedict and does not know of his real status and will not be cajoled by her interfering aunt, Mrs Malaprop into marrying the wealthy landowner Acres. Lydia was portrayed by this actor with a natural stage presence, sweet and yet feisty when losing her composure regarding ‘that odious Acres’. She looked beautiful with her hair stunningly coiffured in an up do, very much the 18th century lady. Lucy is her maid, a master manipulator is played ‘naively’ well by this lovely actor, hiding books for her mistress and flirtatious with Sir Lucius.

Mrs Malaprop is ‘illiterate from memory’ and her mastery of malapropisms (ridiculous misuses of words) was expertly portrayed by this actor such as “he can tell you the perpendiculars” (instead of he can tell you the particulars) ‘Men are all vile Barbadians” (not Barbarians)! When discussing Lydia she states “she is as headstrong as an allegory (alligator)on the banks of the Nile”. This was hilarious throughout and what a delightful actor to watch with excellent comic timing. As was the character of the insecure Falkland who is in love with Julia but is constantly causing consternation in their relationship, probing her for confirmation of her affections. Continuously entering or leaving the stage howling and crying, this actor was superb in the role and looked incredible, wearing white face makeup and dressed in the ‘habit a la francaise’ consisting of a pompadour type white wig with small hat sat atop, a long red coat, red velvet breeches, waistcoat, white shirt with decorative cuffs and collar, white tights and black shoes. His affectations with his lace handkerchief and his silver topped cane added to the character.

Julia looked lovely, costumed in blue over dress with added lace cuffs and collar, coloured under skirt and choker, long earrings and hair, again expertly styled for the age of the piece, gave an honest portrayal of confusion with her beloved Falkland. The plot of the play is intricate due to the subterfuge of Capt. Jack. His father, Sir Anthony Absolute, believes women should not read and hates being disobeyed by his son. Expertly played by this actor, with his native thick Black Country accent, his scenes were charged with emotional outbursts, exploding with rage and then expressing “Zoom” and slapping his thigh when things go his way.  The character of Acres is a naïve landowner and played with relish by an actor with excellent stage presence. His change into garish costume ‘Ha! ha! you've taken notice of it—'tis genteel, isn't it’ whilst trying to become more fashionable in society, still with as strong country accent, was cleverly portrayed as was his reticence to duel with ‘Beverley’, “my valour will come and go, I feel it going now’ whilst running away.

Special mention must go to the actor who took on the role of Sir Lucius O Trigger who stepped into the role with only a few days before curtain up. A naturally talented performer is this actor, using a script but rarely referring to it and impressive to watch. Wearing a curly red two-pointed wig and dressed in a green brocade jacket and waistcoat, white lace trimmed shirt black pants, white tights and polished buckled black shoes, he acted and looked the part.  Fag, Capt. Jack’s servant was portrayed correctly being fiercely loyal to his master yet a little above himself. While David, Sir Lucius’ servant was played as a good-natured man and not interested in gossip. 

As a director, this must have been a challenging script to shorten as it is written in the language of its time. It was cast well and rehearsed with great attention to detail. Again, the costumes were exquisite for each character and gave such a glamorous and professional look to the piece. You are geniuses when it comes to dressing any production but this was exceptional. Having never seen this play before I wished I could have watched it again. It was an impressive piece of theatre, funny, cleverly performed and deserved of much praise. 

Lyn Burgoyne   -   Noda Representative for District 5, Mid and East Devon.

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