The Rivals: A Comedy

Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1815) was an Irish poet and social activist. For a long period of time he was the owner of the London Theatre Royal. His most famous literary works are ‘The Rivals’, ‘The School for Scandal’ and ‘The Duenna’. Richard Sheridan was elected a member of the Parliament from the ‘Whig’ party. He was buried at Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey.


‘The Rivals’ is a play that belongs to the genre of the comedy of manners. The play was initially performed in 1775. The action takes place in Bath of the 18th century - the town that was considered the fashion capital. The central figures of the story are Lydia and Jack, a young boy and a girl who love each other.