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Thame Players |
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The Rivals. By Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Directed by David Bright The Rivals is a hugely entertaining play that constantly reminds the audience how unchanging is human nature. This production was lively, with a cast who never allowed the dialogue to become wordy or unthinking. A programme note says that Sheridan had to cut the initial version because it was too long and the play now begins with a dialogue setting out the story so far between a coachman, Tony Long, and Fag the servant played by Colin Deaney. Young, beautiful, Lydia Languish's main requirement in a man is that her aunt should disapprove of him - anyone known a daughter like that? Penny Harper played Lydia with great energetic contrariness and flouncing petulance. The suitable Captain Absolute becomes the object of her desire by becoming the completely unsuitable Ensign Beverley who was played with dashing conviction and humour by newcomer Tim Proctor. Another instantly recognisable character was Faulkland, who believed that whatever his beloved Julia (Jo Brock) said or did was a sure sign that he was about to lose her. His pessimism was a wonderful foil for the positive Captain and was played with introspective melancholy by another newcomer, Mark Williams. Fag the servant gave us a lecture on the abuse of servants, only to knock the errand boy (Luke Ounsworth) around as soon as he got the chance - recognise that from the office? Lydia's servant Lucy, who delivered messages to anyone at a price, whether intended for them or not, was played with sluttish good humour by Juliet Kendall. This came out most effectively in her scene with Sir Lucius O'Trigger (Peter Sawyer). Colin Love, as Acres, was instructed by O'Trigger in how to reduce the chances of being killed in a duel and got the most out of the humour as he vacillated between being a bold dueller and wanting to call the whole thing off. The character from the Rivals known to everyone is, of course, Mrs Malaprop. Her mangling of English, accompanied by her obvious pride in her extensive vocabulary, was carried off with fluency and style by Katharine Horrocks. Despite being described as an old dragon by the parted lovers, she was played as an attractive middle-aged woman. This made far more sense of womaniser Sir Anthony Absolute's (Erroll Bateman) offer of marriage. The
production was simple and stylish with eye-catching costumes, well-chosen music
by Thomas Arne, and fast scene changes. The play ended with a well choreographed
dance in which all differences between the characters were resolved and swept
away. The whole ensemble worked
closely and supportively together with obvious enjoyment. Tim Shepherd
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The Thame Players Theatre Company Ltd Patrons: Sir Tim Rice, Bruce Alexander Registered Company No. 4389665. Registered Charity No. 1092559 |