The Rivals, a comedy of manners set in Bath in 1775, gently satirises the affectations of the social classes. The plot centres on the two young lovers, Lydia and Jack and her two “rivals”, Bob Acres and Sir Lucius O’Trigger. Lydia is portrayed as a pastiche of the heroines of the romantic novels popular at the time. The play also introduces Mrs Malaprop, as the chief comic figure, whose ludicrous misuse of words has coined the phrase “malapropism”.
Directed by Becky Fradley, this is an extremely humorous play, beautifully performed with a first rate cast and superb costumes.
The Rivals ran from 17 - 20 November 2010 at the Pound Arts Centre, Corsham.
