Book description
The three plays collected in this volume demonstrate Sheridan's
unerring ability to create unrivalled comedy out of ingenious plots,
witty repartee, farcical situations and flamboyant characters. And while
he never overtly moralizes, Sheridan uses brilliant comedy to deflate
hypocrisy and satirize the manners of his age. In The Rivals, Captain
Absolute becomes his own rival for the hand of Lydia Languish - wooing
her under another name, while her aunt, the verbally inept Mrs Malaprop,
wishes her to marry the real Captain. School for Scandal continues the
theme of imposture when Sir Oliver tests his nephews by appearing to
them in disguise, and learns that reputation and the approval of society
are of little value. And The Critic, featuring the pompous Puff and the
arrogant Sneer, is a mocking depiction of the theatre, playwrights and,
of course, critics.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751 - 1816) was the son of an
actor-elocutionist and educated at Harrow. He escorted the singer
Elizabeth Linley to France, fought two duels on her behalf and married
her in 1773. In 1775 he made a spectacular debut as a dramatist with
The Rivals, St Patrick's Day and The Duenna, a comic opera. In 1776 he
acquired Garrick's share in the Drury Lane Theatre which he managed
until it burnt down in 1809. The School for Scandal was produced in
1777. From 1780 till 1812, Sheridan was an MP and held several
government offices.
Eric Rump is an Associate Professor of English at Glendon Collge,
York University, Toronto. He is the author of a number of articles on
both Restoration and modern drama.
