The Rivals

The Rivals [1] is a comedy of manners by Sheridan (1751–1816) [2]. It was the young Sheridan's first play and it premiered at Covent Garden Theatre on 17 January 1775.

Translations and adaptations

Performances in South Africa

1855: Performed by the Amateur Theatrical Society Port Elizabeth in the new Port Elizabeth Theatre in August, with The Fast Train (Anon.).

1944: Produced by the Johannesburg Repertory Society, featuring Jessie Bryant.

1967: Performed in the H.B. Thom Theatre, produced by Jocelyn de Bruyn and Ben Dehaeck, with the University Theatre of Stellenbosch in April 1967. Tine Balder as Mrs Malaprop, Mees Xteen as Acres, Piers Nicholson as Sir Lucius, Carina Fick as Lydia, John Cartwright as Jack, while Sir Anthony Absolute was played by Jocelyn de Bruyn. The rest of the cast included Leoné Schenk, Bettina Camerer, Crismont Greeff, Johan Esterhuizen and Esther Brandt. Decor and costumes by Elaine Aucamp, choreography by Gisela Taeger, lighting by Pieter de Swardt. Music arranged for the hapsichord and played by Boudewijn Scholten.

1969: Produced by PACOFS, opening on 29 January in the Civic Theatre, Bloemfontein. Directed by Roy Sargeant for PACOFS, with Joyce Bradley as Mrs Malaprop, Ralph Lawson as Captain Jack Absolute, Wilson Dunster as Bob Acres, Raymond Davies as Faulkland. Others in the cast were Maryann Johnston, Piers Nicholson, Hudson Earp, Tirzah Lowenstein, Carmen Haddad, Roy Sargeant, Ivor Levin, George Barnes, Johan Botha, Michael J. Lovegrove, Temple Hauptfleisch, Estelle Eilers. Set and costumes by Bill Smuts.

1983: Staged by PACT, directed by Michael Atkinson, with John Hussey (Sir Anthony Absolute), James White (Capt Absolute), James Borthwick (Bob Acres),