Rain or Shine Theatre Company stage The Rivals
- Charles Essex
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Rivals. Performed by Rain or Shine Theatre Company at the Parish Field, Market Bosworth, 28 June 2025. Director: Jonathan Legg.
Review by Charles Essex.
Sheridan’s play The Rivals led to the word malapropism entering the English language after one of its characters Mrs Malaprop, played in this clever production by Pippa Meekings. Pippa gave Mrs Malaprop the right amount of exaggerated melodrama, in keeping with what was an 18th Century play, and inevitably when she was speaking the audience was listening to catch the next malapropism. Pippa showed her versatility by also playing Bob Acres, a Devonshire farmer trying to fit into polite society, and Julia, a cousin to Lydia (Emily Harverson).
Lydia, ward of Mrs Malaprop, was the object of the affections of Captain Jack (Charles Upton). However, in an era of arranged marriages, Emily portrayed Lydia’s heartfelt desire for romance and love, and Jack disguised himself as a lower ranked soldier to woo her. Jack’s plan backfired initially although of course everything turned out for the good in the end. The plot was rather convoluted and that is probably the most succinct summary this reviewer can come up with.
What was much more worthy of comment was the acting and the costumes. Apart from Pippa, the other four cast members all played two parts, often very different. Adam Wright played upper class twerp Mr Faukland and Irish soldier Lucius O’Trigger. He gave several monologues in each role, conveying the personality of each character. As well as playing Lydia, with overtones of a character from a Brontë or Jane Austen novel, Emily also played manservant Fag. Emily gave Fag a hearty Jack-the-lad persona.
Anthony Young was superb as both Lucy, the devious maid, and Sir Anthony, Jack’s father. As Lucy, he engaged delightfully in a mischievous way with the audience, whilst as Sir Anthony he was all bluster, with excellent comic timing. Charles was splendid as Jack, as his emotions seesawed as he was infatuated with and then seemingly cast adrift by Lydia.
All the actors delivered their lines and portrayed their roles wonderfully. There were some heartfelt and engaging monologues from all the characters and excellent duologues conveying the characters and their interactions. There were some clever knowing jokes such as reference to Jilly Cooper’s novel “Rivals” and, having only five actors, how some characters did not appear to be on stage at the same time.
Being an outdoor performance, all the actors projected superbly, particularly as it was quite windy before the interval, and showed incredible stamina for what was an energetic play with numerous costume changes and a lengthy nationwide tour.
Visit www.rainorshine.co.uk for details of other venues
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