From its very first presentation at London's Covent Garden Theatre on Jan. 17, 1775, The Rivals has been delighting audiences with its wit and false identities.

The idealistic Lydia Languish reads nothing but romance novels, and in doing so, believes she can only find true love in the arms of a man without wealth. Captain Jack Absolute has fallen in love with her, and pretends to be a penniless ensign to win her heart. Coming between these two lovers are some of the most extraordinary comic characters ever to grace a stage: Sir Anthony Absolute; the misspeaking Mrs. Malaprop; the fiery Irishman from Clod Hall, Sir Lucius O'Trigger; and poor Bob Acres, a country squire who finds himself with a dueling pistol in hand.

One of teh funniest late-Restoration comedies, The Rivals has spanned centuries, and will continue to do so for a long, long time to come.