The production will run at the Orange Tree Theatre from the 29 November 2025 – 24 January 2026 before travelling to Theatre Royal Bath (27-31 January 2026) and Cambridge Arts Theatre (3-7 February 2026).
The Orange Tree Theatre has confirmed the full cast and creative team for the 250th Anniversary production of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s comic classic The Rivals.
It has been announced that Artistic Director Tom Littler will direct Robert Bathurst and Patricia Hodge, alongside Pete Ashmore, Joëlle Brabban, Zoe Brough, Dylan Corbett-Bader, Jim Findley, Colm Gormley, Robert Maskell, Boadicea Ricketts, James Sheldon and Kit Young.
Bath in the Roaring Twenties: risqué revelry, romance, and rivalry in the Assembly Rooms – a town torn between tradition and the new age.
Lydia and Jack (Zoe Brough and Kit Young) 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, Anthony Absolute (Robert Bathurst), is absolutely determined to be obeyed, and Lydia’s guardian Mrs Malaprop (Patricia Hodge) is seeking a love-affair of her own – if only she could find the right words…
Talking about the news, Tom Littler 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.”
The creative team behind the production also includes: Set and Costume Design: Anett Black and Neil Irish;Lighting Design: William Reynolds;Sound Design and Composition: Tom Attwood; Movement Direction: Leah Harris;Assistant Direction: Freya Griffiths; Costume Supervision: Emma Kylmälä and Casting Consultant: Ginny Schiller CDG.
To book tickets visit: https://orangetreetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-rivals/