The Rivals continues to be delighting audiences since its initial presentation at London’s Covent Backyard Theatre on January 17th, 1775. The idealistic Lydia Languish, reads nothing but romantic novels, and in doing this, believes she can only just find real love in the arms of a guy without prosperity. Captain Jack Overall has fallen deeply in love with her, and pretends to be always a penniless ensign to earn her heart. Coming between both of these lovers are a few of the most incredible comic personas ever to grace a stage; the autocratic Sir Anthony Overall, the misspeaking Mrs. Malaprop, the fiery Irishman from Clod hall – Sir Lucius O’Trigger; and poor Bob Acres, a country squire who sees himself with a dueling pistol in his hands. One of the funniest late-Restoration comedies, “The Competitors” offers spanned the generations, and will continue steadily to do so.