RICHARD Brinsley Sheridan’s play The Rivals gave the world one of the greatest comic characters of all time – the marvellous Mrs Maloprop, whose mangled phrases have ensured her name has even entered the English language. At Bath Theatre Royal, from 27th to 31st January, the beautifully spoken Patricia Hodge takes on this hilarious harridan, opposite Robert Bathurst as the irascible Sir Anthony Absolute.

This production, directed by Tom Littler at the Orange Tree Theatre and now touring to Bath and Cambridge, marks the 250th anniversary of Sheridan’s great social satire.

Set in Bath and updated to the Roaring Twenties, the production includes risqué revelry, romance and rivalry in the Assembly Rooms, seeing a town torn between tradition and the new age.

Tom Littler, who is artistic director of the Orange Tree, said: “It’s a real pleasure to be working with this brilliant company on The Rivals. Each actor brings their own insight, energy and creativity, and I’m excited to see how we’ll capture Sheridan’s humour and wit in the glamour and chaos of the Roaring Twenties.”

Lydia and Jack are made for each other – but Lydia’s a rebel and Jack’s too posh to be her beau. What’s a chap to do? A little harmless deception, of course. Meanwhile, Jack’s father, Sir Anthony Absolute, is absolutely determined to be obeyed, and Lydia’s guardian Mrs Malaprop is seeking a love-affair of her own – if only she could find the right words…

The cast is completed by Pete Ashmore (Frederick Arnold Gieves), Joëlle Brabban (Lucy), Zoe Brough (Lydia Languish), Dylan Corbett-Bader (Bob Acres), Jim Findley (Thomas), Colm Gormley (Lucius O’Trigger), Robert Maskell (David), Boadicea Ricketts (Julia Melville), James Sheldon (‘Faulty’ Faulkland) and Kit Young (Jack Absolute).

The Irish-born playwright, theatre owner and politician Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) became one of the most celebrated comic dramatists of the 18th century. His other well-known plays include The Duenna, The Critic and The School for Scandal.

Robert Bathurst’s theatrical credits include Love, Loss and Chianti (Riverside Studios, Chichester Festival Theatre), King Charles III (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), An Ideal Husband (Chichester Festival Theatre), Blue/Orange, Present Laughter (UK tour), Blithe Spirit (Harold Pinter Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath, UK tour), Hedda Gabler (Theatre Royal Brighton) and Noises Off (Savoy Theatre).

Patricia Hodge’s stage credits include Watch on the Rhine (Donmar Warehouse), Private Lives (Theatre Royal Bath, UK tour), A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Trafalgar Studios), Copenhagen, Travels With My Aunt, As You Like It (Chichester Festival Theatre), Relative Values (Harold Pinter Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath), Calendar Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre, UK tour, Noël Coward Theatre), His Dark Materials, Noises Off, Summerfolk, A Little Night Music, Money (Olivier Award Best Supporting Actress for Money – National Theatre), Heartbreak House (Almeida Theatre), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Strand Theatre, UK tour), Noel and Gertie (Warehouse Theatre, Comedy Theatre – Olivier Award Best Actress in a Musical nomination) and The Mitford Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre, Globe Theatre – Olivier Award Best Actress in a Musical nomination).

Photographs by Ellie Kurttz