The Rivals at The Theatre Royal Haymarket

Peter Hall recently celebrated his 80^th Birthday and yet seems still in his directing prime, currently reviving Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s 1775 masterpiece The Rivals at The Theatre Royal Haymarket. Amazingly Hall has succeeded in satisfying modern audiences with this witty 18^th Century play, despite changing little to make it relevant.

Peter Bowles as Sir Anthony Absolute and Penelope Keith as Mrs Malaprop are tremendous as the revered guardians. Keith is infectious, mangling the English language at every opportunity with hilarious consequences, my favourite line being: “he is the very pineapple of politeness”, the audience roared with laughter. Sir Absolute is brilliant on stage and seems to enjoy his role, he grumbles constantly (and hypocritically) about his son disobeying his strict orders. I later found out that this pair are the much-loved partners from television sitcom ‘To the Manor Born’ on stage together for the first time in The Rivals.

The narrative follows the ridiculous love chase of the young couple: Jack Absolute and Lydia Languish. They are rather more soppy, in my opinion, though my friend thought Robyn Addison, as damsel-in-distress-Lydia, particularly good and enjoyed her lovesick performance. Both seem resolute in rebelling against their elders, this it turns out is more important than the love they have for each other.

I must admit, that as much as I enjoyed Sheridan’s classic, I found its narrative rather similar to other plays I have recently seen in Covent Garden. The differences between ‘When We Are Married’, ‘An Ideal Husband’ and ‘The Rivals’ blur in my mind; all I seem to remember are the elaborate frocks and velvet clad sets that feature in all three.

I sat on the front row of the circle, seats that have, I decided the best view in the house. Near me hung a huge austere mirror reflecting much of my fellow audience members. At times during the performance I glanced across and delighted myself in watching their reactions, this added to the fun.

The Rivals continues until 26 February 2011.