An 18th Century delight filled with extravagant characters and hilarious circumstances that proves just how far to go to capture the elusive magic of true love.
The Rivals
By Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Directed by George Mount
Performed at the Center Theatre
January 7, 2020
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February 2, 2020
All You Need is Love. Romance novels have given young (and wealthy!) Lydia Languish some ridiculous notions, and she insists on marrying a poor man for the sake of true love. Hoping to woo the young woman, Captain Jack Absolute pretends to be a poor army officer. Aiding and thwarting Jack’s pursuit are a collection of comic characters including his crusty and cranky father, Sir Anthony, Lydia’s meddling and misspoken aunt, Mrs. Malaprop, and a pair of adversaries: the jovial Bob Acres and the salty Sir Lucius O’Trigger. Will romance spark in the midst of hilarious circumstances and mistaken identities?
A Crazy Courtship. One of the funniest jewels of the late 18th Century, Sheridan’s The Rivals paved the way for fellow Irish writers Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw. This landmark play helped revive English stage comedy with its unconventional wit, keenly drawn characters, and heartfelt emotion.
The Elusive Magic of Love. Chock-a-block with clever and conniving servants, silly lovers, intrusive parents, and a duel, The Rivals is a romantic and very human comedy about how far to go in the quest for true love. With sparkling and matchless wit, this enduring classic is a joyous romp that skewers marriage, class, and wealth…all the while providing a great belly laugh.
Photos
Avery Clark as Captain Jack Absolute, Lamar Legend as Bob Acres, and Calder Jameson Shilling as Faukland in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Alexandria J. Henderson as Lydia Languish and Avery Clark as Captain Jack Absolute in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Jocelyn Maher as Julia Melville, Shanna Allman as David, Julie Briskman as Mrs. Malaprop, and Alexandria J. Henderson as Lydia Languish in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Shanna Allman as Thomas and Brandon Felker as Fog in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Alexandria J. Henderson as Lydia Languish and Sophia Franzella as Lucy in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Alexandria J. Henderson as Lydia Languish and Jocelyn Maher as Julis Melville in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Julie Briskman Mrs. Malaprop and Bradford Farwell as Sir Anthony Absolute in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Lamar Legend as Bob Acres, Avery Clark as Captain Jack Absolute, and Calder Jameson Shilling as Faukland in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Sophia Franzella as Lucy and Mike Dooly as Sir Lucius O’Trigger in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Bradford Farwell as Sir Anthony Absolute and Avery Clark as Captain Jack Absolute in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Julie Briskman as Mrs. Malaprop and Avery Clark as Captain Jack Absolute in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Mike Dooly as Sir Lucius O’Trigger and Avery Clark as Captain Jack Absolute in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Calder Jameson Shilling and Jocelyn Maher as Julia Melville in Sheridan's "The Rivals" at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Photo by John Ulman.
Julia tries to soothe Faukland’s doubts about her devotion, but she just might have made matters worse.
Featuring: Calder Jameson Shilling and Jocelyn Maher. Video by HMMM Productions.
Production Team
George Mount (Director), Craig B. Wollam (Scenic Designer ), Robertson Witmer (Sound Designer ), Doris Black (Costume Designer ), Roberta Russell (Lighting Designer ), Robin Macartney (Props Designer ), Crystal Dawn Munkers (Choreographer ), Kayla Walker (Dialect Coach), and Ben Radin (Technical Director ), Maria Gray (Stage Manager), and Grace Heller (Assistant Stage Manager).
Cast (in alphabetical order)
Shanna Allman (Thomas/David), Julie Briskman (Mrs. Malaprop), Avery Clark (Captain Jack Absolute), Mike Dooly (Sir Lucius O’Trigger), Bradford Farwell (Sir Anthony Absolute), Brandon Felker (Fog), Sophia Franzella (Lucy), Alexandria Henderson (Lydia Languish), Lamar Legend (Bob Acres), Jocelyn Maher (Julia Melville), Calder Jameson Shilling (Faulkland), Kunvr Singh (Ensemble), and Jackie Thompson (Ensemble).
