The Rivals – Orange Tree Theatre: 29 Nov – 24 Jan
This ‘sparkling satire of love and language’, The Rivals is 250 years old and Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s comedic play has lost none of its punch since 1775. This version is set in the Roaring ‘20s in Bath – a town torn between tradition and the new age. Lydia and Jack are made for each other, but Lydia is a rebel and thinks Jack is too posh to be her suitor, so he thinks up a little deception. Lydia’s guardian, Mrs Malaprop (Patricia Hodge) is looking for an affair of her own while Jack’s father (Robert Bathurst) is determined Jack will obey his wishes.
The Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond began life on 31 December 1971 when director Sam Walters and actress Auriol Smith staged lunchtime performances in a small room above the Orange Tree pub on Kew Road. Audiences sat on just six church pews around the stage, creating an intimate atmosphere that quickly became part of the theatre’s charm.
By the late 1980s, the company had outgrown its modest pub venue and launched an appeal to convert the nearby disused Victorian Gothic primary school on Clarence Street into a permanent home. The new purpose-built theatre opened on 14 February 1991, featuring an in-the-round auditorium seating around 180 people and preserving the close proximity between performers and audience that defined its early years.
Over the decades, the Orange Tree has become renowned for championing both new writing and rediscovering neglected plays, offering a platform for emerging talent as well as acclaimed productions. It remains an important cultural hub in Richmond, known for its innovative programming, community outreach, and enduring commitment to accessible, high-quality theatre. From its humble beginnings above a pub to national recognition, the Orange Tree continues to embody the spirit of creative independence and intimate performance.
The Rivals is showing at the Orange Tree Theatre. Tickets £15-£60. orangetreetheatre.co.uk
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