Actors and Actresses (all are welcome) (7m, 4f) are needed for a staged reading, as part of Elmwood’s Public Domain Players, of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s hilarious comedy “The Rivals” (the genesis of the term “malapropism”).
The play involves young Captain Absolute who is in love with Lydia Languish, a young girl whose ideas of romance are formed from the formulaic cliches of popular novels. To woo her, Captain Absolute pretends to be a poor, lowly born ensign. This disguise gives rise to numerous comic situations involving an intemperate father, a pretentious aunt, a rural hick and quick-tempered Irishman as rivals for Lydia’s love, and scheming and mercenary servants. Meanwhile, a subplot involves a friend wooing Lydia’s cousin whose jealousy sparks comic repercussions.
The breakdown of characters is:
Capt. Absolute – The clever young man who comes up with the scheme and has to deal with the farcical consequences;
Lydia Languish – The flighty young girl with ideas formed from novels;
Sir Anthony Absolute (ALREADY CAST) – Capt. Absolute’s father, who is only amenable when he gets his way;
Mrs. Malaprop – Lydia’s aunt who mangles her vocabulary in an effort to seem more educated than she is (e.g. “she’s as headstrong as an allegory on the banks of Nile.”);
Faulkland – The overly and comically jealous lover of Julia;
Julia – Lydia’s cousin who constantly has to upbraid her lover, Faulkland, for his jealous nature;
Bob Acres – Capt. Absolute’s rural and dimwitted friend who also is wooing Lydia and is talked into a duel;
Lucius O’Trigger – An Irishman (must have Irish accent) with a quick temper who believes he’s corresponding with Lydia but actually with Mrs. Malaprop;
Fag – Capt. Absolute’s servant, who assists him with his pretenses and seeks to make his own life a little more comfortable;
Lucy – Lydia’s scheming maid who pretends to be simple but is actually soliciting bribes from all the wealthy people around her;
David – Bob Acres’ rural and simple servant who is trying to prevent his employer from doing stupid things.
The reading will take place on March 29, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in the Tarson studio. Any actors interested in participating should email readings@elmwoodplayhouse.com or talk to Derek Tarson.
