The linguistically challenged Mrs Malaprop, whose fabulously decorative language is famous for its misapplication of vocabulary, is one of my favourite comic creations ever, perhaps even more so because i always call my sister Kelsey Mrs Malaprop, for her similarly enthusiastic yet habitually misfired deployment of words. Anyway, Celia Imrie's robust realisation of this character was one (and only one) reason why i thoroughly enjoyed this revival (the first in London for over 10 years) of Sheridan's the Rivals at Southwark playhouse. It's a play which i fundamentally don't think you can go much wrong with - its gentle satirisation of notions of love and the social games we play in pursuit of the the perfect partner is pretty timeless: that ideals of love supplant realities, neuroses thwart relationships, and gossips and meddlers hinder more than they help... etc, anyway, this off West End production was a pretty straight production of the 18th century play (save some rather fun touches like a period re-interpretation of Beyonce's All The Single Ladies as an intro ditty which the cast danced to) that really let the actors shine - which they absolutely did with gusto: the essentially stock characters took on a real verve and passion. and despite being pretty budget (best not to look too hard at the details of costume or set, and zone out the rumbling trains travelling above) it reveled in the comedy and was incredibly funny - filled with personality and warmth. Definitely a play that shouldn't be relegated to the shadows of the London theatre scene.
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