These two classic comedies by Sheridan are staples of English theatre. The Rivals features witty dialogue and mistaken identities, while The School for Scandal delivers a sharp critique of gossip and hypocrisy in high society. Both plays showcase Sheridan’s brilliant satire, memorable characters, and insightful commentary on human behavior, making them enduring works of 18th-century British drama.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) was an Irish-born playwright and poet and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. "The Rival" is a great comedy of manners, and "The School for Scandal" established his work in London.