The Rivals Revival 2014

The Pearl Theatre Company revives The Rivals, a 1775 comedy of manners by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, directed by The Pearl’s new artistic director Hal Brooks. Carol Schultz reprises the role of Mrs. Malaprop, an elderly woman who prides herself on having advanced language skills, but continuously butchers idioms. It’s a role she also played for The Pearl in 2003.



Poking fun at the upper class’s proclivity for unnecessary melodrama and caprice, The Rivals traces the relationships of several rich lovers in Bath, England. Young heiress Lydia Languish, enthralled by contemporary romantic novels, craves a forbidden affair. Aware of her desires, aristocrat Captain Jack Absolute disguises himself as a penniless low-ranking military officer. When Lydia’s aunt Mrs. Malaprop learns of the scandalous relationship between her wealthy niece and this mysterious man, she enlists the help of her friend, Sir Anthony, to match Lydia with his honorable son – the very same Jack Absolute. In the meantime, two other men vying for Lydia’s affection are entangled in the identity scheme, while another relationship, between Lydia’s friend, Julia, and Jack’s friend, Faulkland, suffers when the latter can’t stop his jealous rages and doubts.