The Rivals

A comedy of mistaken identities and misconceptions of love, Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The Rivals satirizes marriage and wealth. 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.