Review: The Rivals

KCL’s student theatre group The King’s Players make their first ever appearance at the Camden Fringe Festival this week with a performance of The Rivals, Richard Sheridan’s classic comedy of love, money and deceit.

The action centres on the wealthy Jack Absolute who, in order to satisfy the romantic inclinations of heiress Lydia Languish, is forced to adopt the role of a penniless romantic. As lies breed ever more lies, the plot twists and turns with a manic exuberance, and the performances of a talented cast ensure a night of high comedy.

In a bold move, the directors decided to transplant the action from Bath in the eighteenth century, to late 1920s Monte Carlo. While perhaps not strictly necessary, the move was certainly executed with impressive skill. Many directors are happy simply to thrust their actors into modern day clothing and leave it at that, handing Macbeth a machine gun while leaving him to blather on about daggers. Jon Barton and Joe Rizzo-Naudi have been far more ambitious. From the sequence in which Absolute flings himself enthusiastically into snatches of popular 1920s songs, to such subtle re-workings as the modernisation of Lydia’s trashy taste in literature, all alterations were carried out with an understatement and humour that fully justified the transposition.

Likewise, the standard of acting is generally extremely high. Stand-out performances include Pearce Sampson as Jack Absolute, and Louise Bastock as Mrs Malaprop. Sampson takes a visible delight in the part of Absolute, emphasising the roguish aspect to the character, where many actors might be content to play simply the staid romantic hero. Equally, his take on the thespian alter-ego Beverly is perfectly judged.

Bastock, meanwhile, gives a commanding performance of the character whose garbled pronouncements have been distinctive enough to earn a place in the OED, and her jaunty use of a fan was one of the most eloquent manipulations of a prop that I have ever seen.

Elsewhere, lively support is provided by Charlie Mizon, as the battered Irish knight Sir Lucius O’Trigger, and Henry Locatelli as the country squire Bob Acres. Both actors bring an air of charm and vulnerability to their characters that successfully elevates them above the level of mere caricature.

Above all, the play is a triumph of fast pacing. The large stage space allows for very few set changes, while the script itself has been cut down to a playing time of just under two hours. The result is a barrage of jokes and witticisms.

It might be said that towards the end of the second half, energy levels began to dip slightly, but given the exhilarating pace of the play as a whole, this was understandable. Overall, this is a brave production that bursts with enthusiasm, and is undoubtedly well worth watching.

The Rivals runs until 21^st August, Upstairs at The GateHouse in Highgate Village. Tickets cost £12 with £10 concessions.

For an interview with the play’s directors see http://www.london-student.net/play/in-conversation-with-the-directors-of-the-rivals/