'The Rivals ’ satirizes lifestyle
in 18th century British society
As (he lights dim, whispering ceases as
the audience awaits the first scene of Richard
Brinsley Sheridan's "The Rivals," a play
satirizing the manners and fads of lath century
British society.
Disguised as the ensign Beverley, Captain
Jack Absolute (William Weir III) is the perfect
English gentleman courting Lydia languish
(Barbara Fitts), who lives in a world of
romance novels and fantasies.
Absolute's servant Fag (Doug Chausow)
describes Lydia as a lady who likes his master
"bettor as a half-pay ensign than if she knew
he was a son and heir to Sir Anthony Absolute,
a baronet with three thousand a year!"
The play unfolds as Jack rapidly loses con
trol of the situation, with some help from the
meddlings of his father. Sir Anthony Absolute
(Kevin Allen), lack’s disguise as an ensign
soon is discovered when Sir Anthony prompts
his unwilling son into visiting the "ravishing" ,
Lydia end her aunt. Mrs. Malaprop (Grant \
McKernie). '
Because of their presence in the room,
jack is unable to hide the truth. Lydia's,dreams
of a glorious, novel-like'romance withNa poor
servant are shattered, and shesighis. "So, there
will be no elopement after all!" ° • ‘ .
Sir Anthony’s. hypocritical: nature " is
wonderfully portrayed by Alleminc'he'stomps.,
yells andpouts like.* child.when, enraged by • •
lack's obstinate behavior, ho .screams, "You' "
rely on the mildndss of mytempek'.’Yoi^play'
• ■ upon the rrieekriess ofiriy dis|>ositipn^The pa
tience .of,a saint may. be' overcome at last/.Lmay
In-time forgive yo.u ft not■ -r don't enter tho
' ' same hemisphere with mel"- - ,; >1 .
. McKefnie. * director of thevUniverelty's
speech department. giyiTs a hilarious-portrayal
- . of the simpering Mrs. Malaprop ahd practleal
ly steals the show. He convincingly portrays a
woman who is every bit as hypocritical as Sir
Anthony.
Not only does Mrs. Mala prop abuse the
high society language of the era in her efforts
to fit in, but her views of the proper actions
"becoming of a young woman" are full of dou
ble standards. The audience sees this in the ex
change between Mrs. Malaprop and her maid,
Lucy, when Mis. Malaprop says, "If ever you
betray what you are entrusted with — unless it
be other people's secrets to me — you forfeit
my malevolence forever, and your being a
simpleton shall be no excuse for your
locality.” - .«
Sir Lucius O’Triggor (Phillip Dunn) is the
typical Irish character — talkative, flirtatious
and belligerent. He tries to convince Acres
(Wade Johnson) to fight' a. duel against
Beyerlpy to "protect his honor," but he
himself is deathly afraidof challenging Jack to
•a'duel.*-. " • . •• v«. ®
• The performances of the actors are .com
plemented by .award-winning designer . Alex*[
andra Bonds' costumes, which provide visual
huqior and bririgout the odd personality traits
of the characters, . .j .1 ; - v >
Director• Jack- Watson's, interpretation of
Sheridan '• "The.:R’iyaIs"'' is." a- h i larious -and
entertaining pioduction that, is vy‘e)l'worth the .>
„ time and effort tV'see, Theironic situations
thatjocciir throughput the play ”keep; the au- ".
dienCe conitahtly'entertainVid:.-' -'' • ’
. ’"Tht*' Kivals'.’.Tcohtinues its run March •
. 14-:f5;.Sho’wtirne is"8,j(,mi and'pri.ce8';are.$5!.56.'!
for/tKe gcnjeral pul)lic an,d $-t 50 for students;..
Tickets .fjan .purchased atthe,. University .
Theatre.Box Officti bycalling,686-4.19.1." ' ’
By Frale de Guzman
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