THE RIVALS: Sheridan, Swan Worcester, till 4 May
Worcester
THE RIVALS: Sheridan
The Swan: Worcester: Tkts 01905 27322
Runs: 2h 45m, till 4 May
Review: Rod Dungate, 19th April 2002
This production sometimes sparks into life and motors along very nicely, at other times, though, the language forms a barrier between us and the play.
The Rivals was written in the second half of the Eighteenth Century, a time when manners were still ornate and language still matched them. A time of sentimental comedies and romantic novels: in a way Sheridan fills his play with romantic characters and then pulls the rugs away from under their feet. A convoluted plot of two pairs of lovers, one lover who is two different soldiers of two different ranks at the same time, rivals for the hands of the women and a bullying father. Most notably the play gave rise to Mrs Malaprop, whose determination to sound knowledgeable is matched only by her determination not to read too much.
Tina Gray, in this gem of a role, brings to the character a charming dottiness (stemming from the character's mistaken view that it's an attractive coquettishness). She appears as foolish as she is meant to, but we don't dislike her. This is a bonus when the dashing Captain Absolute reads aloud the vicious description he has written of her in his other persona. Gray brings a genuine uncomprehending hurt to this moment: a knife is turned by Absolute – and we don't like it. Martin Parr looks every inch the handsome hero: he sits back on the role and allows the character to come alive for us. From time to time he also gives Absolute a nasty edge which layers and enriches the play. I just hope someone quickly tells him you never salute with your left hand.
This young Absolute is a perfect foil for his father, Sir Anthony Absolute, Neil Salvage. Salvage is playing a larger than life character, but he truly inhabits him and however huge his anger, however preposterous his charm, Sir Anthony's feet are always on the ground.
At times, other actors seem not to engage with the text and the play misses: we are confronted with a barrage of empty words and can do little but wait for the next telling moment. As when Polly Lister's Julia is 'tested' by her lover once too often: her disillusionment, disappointment and anger at her treatment is most moving.
Jenny Stephens, who directs, has taken a decision (with one eye on budget no doubt) to double servants Lucy and Fag. This is a grave mistake. Lucy is a fabulously interesting character – a tricksy young woman who runs rings round all the apparently 'more sophisticated' characters – and makes a packet out of it. She's the cleverest character in the play, rounder than just a joke which is all she can ever be when we're confronted with a man in drag – however ably Robin Simpson plays her.
Cast:
Mrs Malaprop: Tina Gray
Acres: Jeffrey Harmer
Faulkland and Coachman: Ian Harris
Julia: Polly Lister
Sir Lucius O'Trigger: Alan McMahon
Captain Absolute: Martin Parr
Lucy and Fag: Robin Simpson
Lydia Languish: Yasmin Wilde
Errand Boy: Kiwi Williams
Director: Jenny Stephens
Design: Dawn Allsopp
Lighting: Nick Hunt
Sound: Jake Chambers
2002-04-22 08:14:12