Review: The Rivals (Orange Tree Theatre)
- All That Dazzles
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Review by Daz Gale
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We may be more than halfway through the 2020s, but one step inside Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond at the moment transports you back an entire Century to the 1920s for a revival of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The Rivals, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the play. Sneaking in as my final show of 2025 (and my first review of 2026), would this be able to rival some of the most hilarious shows in what was a strong year for comedies?
First performed in London in 1775, The Rivals has been updated and modernised in countless adaptations and revivals over the past couple of centuries. This production places the action in the Roaring Twenties, though with a few surprising modern references, making this a unique blend of nostalgia and contemporary flair. Set in Bath (the city, not an actual bath though one does feature), it centres on the lovestruck Lydia and Jack, who are seemingly made for each other. With Jack apparently too posh for her, he decides on a little deception, adopting a false identity. Meanwhile, Jack’s father has the perfect match for him, and Lydia’s guardian is after a love affair of her own. The result is a whirlwind of misunderstandings, mistaken identities and, of course, no shortage of rivalries.
For a play that has been around for 250 years, there is a certain timelessness to The Rivals, with Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s writing transcending generations and trends to retain an essence that never ages. Though the way people are courted, forced into relationships and even speak to each other has evolved, the heart of this story remains completely accessible, effortlessly transporting the audience back 100 years despite the fact that time itself is 150 years after the play was first written.
Orange Tree Theatre’s Artistic Director, Tom Littler, leads the charge on this production, bringing some rather unique updates and changes to the original story that don’t detract from the story, only adding to it. While Sheridan’s writing remains witty and has an effortless ability to tickle your ribs, Littler’s direction ensures these are all executed as faultlessly as possible, finding new and inventive ways to make the audience laugh. I did not have a reference to The Traitors on my bingo card, but it was very much welcome, as was every other inspired detail Littler came up with. It was the occasional breaking of the fourth wall that added a fantastic element to this production, be it characters interacting with audience members, knowing they were in a play before seamlessly transitioning to the action themselves. This added to the farcical, silly nature of the play and resulted in some of the biggest laughs of the evening.
It should also be noted how tricky it may be to direct a show such as The Rivals in Orange Tree Theatre. A 180-seat theatre completely in the round, this marks the biggest cast that has ever been assembled at their small but mighty theatre. If anyone can pull this off with ease and gusto, it’s their Artistic Director and Littler, who more than rises to the occasion. A superb set design by Anett Black and Neil Irish takes the theatre back in time 100 years with a detailed map of Bath adorning the stage, and an incredible attention to detail surrounding every inch of the theatre to a marvellous effect, with the pair responsible for some stunning costumes as well. Movement plays a key role in this production, with Leah Harris’ movement direction adding dance to each scene transition. Every element ties together beautifully, feeling far bigger than the intimate space this production finds itself in, while embracing this intimacy for stunning connection.
Kit Young is wonderfully charismatic in his standout role as Jack Absolute (as well as his alter ego, Sergeant Beverley). His performance manages to balance the charming nature of the character along with his cheekiness and cockiness in a grand performance that always knows who he wants to be, even if the other characters don’t have a clue who he is. Zoe Brough is similarly in fine form as Lydia Languish, displaying a great chemistry with Young in their scenes together, though it is her scenes with other female characters in The Rivals that showcase her strengths as an actress, resulting in an exaggerated and often hilarious characterisation.
Robert Bathurst is another standout as Sir Anthony Absolute, in a brilliantly over-the-top performance that threatened to put anyone watching in a frenzy. The absolute standout, however, doesn’t belong to any of the Absolute family, but Patricia Hodge in a scene-stealing and mesmerising performance as Mrs Malaprop. Undoubtedly, the most hilarious character in the play, her knack for the English language, or rather her lack of a knack, resulted in frequent lines that had me roaring with laughter. It is no easy task to take on this character, however, with “malapropism” even having its own entry in the dictionary. Though the character’s stamp on modern literature is evident, and the character is well written (ironically) in itself, it is a testament to Patricia Hodges acting abilities in how exquisite her portrayal of the memorable character is. Hodge knows how to squeeze every last drop of humour out of every line, and partnered with Littler’s direction, the delivery is continuously faultless. Though the entire cast is pretty sensational in their own right, it is Patricia Hodge who steals the show.
It may be set in 1927, but there is something about this production of The Rivals that brings us bang up to date. A snapshot of a very different time that dips one toe into the modern climate, inspired direction and an exceptional cast result in a perfect match of this bold and brilliant production that is sure to go unrivalled when compared to its counterparts. Though it might not be breaking any new ground, it is a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours that ticks all the right boxes and is sure to have audiences leaving with a huge smile on their faces. As we deal with the post-Christmas gloom in a particularly cold January, surely that’s all you can ask for from the theatre at the moment.
The Rivals plays at Orange Tree Theatre until 24th January, but is currently sold out.
Check https://orangetreetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-rivals/ if anything else becomes available.
Following this run, it heads to Theatre Royal Bath from 27th - 31st January, and the Arts Theatre in Cambridge from 3rd - 7th February, with tickets from
Photos by Ellie Kurttz