Romantic havoc ensues in the town of Bath when Sir Anthony arrives to arrange the marriage of his son Captain Jack Absolute to the wealthy Lydia Languish. Jack and Lydia are already in love, but because of Lydia’s obsession with romantic novels, Jack has disguised himself as a poor officer named Ensign Beverly - and he is only one of Lydia’s many suitors. The Rivals was Sheridan’s first play, and this charming comedy of manners continues to be widely performed today.

Includes an interview with Linda Kelly, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the author of Richard Brinsley Sheridan: A Life.

Recorded at The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood, in May 2011.

Adapted for Radio and Directed by: Martin Jarvis
Producing Director: Susan Albert Loewenberg
An L.A. Theatre Works Full-Cast Performance Featuring:
Rosalind Ayres as Mrs. Malaprop
Kenneth Danziger as Thomas
Lucy Davis as Lydia Languish
Neil Dickson as David
Sarah Drew as Julia
Julian Holloway as Sir Lucius OÕTrigger
Christopher Neame as Sir Anthony Absolute
Lloyd Owen as Captain Jack Absolute
Moira Quirk as Lucy
Alan Shearman as Fag
Simon Templeman as Bob Acres
Matthew Wolf as Faulkland

Associate Producer: Christina Montaño
Recording, Editing, and Mixing Engineer:
Mark Holden for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood
Sound Effects Artist: Tony Palermo