BWW Reviews: THE RIVALS, Arcola Theatre, October 21 2014

So Restoration Comedy? Or should that be Restoration Comedy!! Because Restoration Comedy likes nothing so much as a (metaphorical) exclamation mark and there is no shortage of them in Selina Cadell's (The Rivals at the Arcola Theatre until 15 November). Whether it's the flouncing about of romantic novels fangirl Lydia Languish, the 0-100mph in two seconds temper of Sir Anthony Absolute or the infamous verbal gaffes of Mrs Malaprop, no joke is knowingly undersold - which is how it should be.

In the agreeable environs of 18th century Bath, dashing Captain Jack Absolute (Iain Batchelor, a brighter, more charismatic Prince Harry lookalike) wisely woos his bookish Lydia (Jennifer Rainsford laying the ham on thick) in the disguise of a poor, but noble, Ensign Beverley - the romantic hero she craves. The supposed match doesn't find favour with Lydia's aunt, the formidable Mrs Malaprop (Gemma Jones, all scorn and snobbish superiority) who prefers Captain Jack, son of the volcanic hypocrite Sir Anthony Absolute (Nicholas Le Provost ee-gadding for all he's worth). Of course, Captain Jack and Ensign Beverley are one and the same... but nobody knows that... yet.

There's plenty of fun too in the subplots in which Justin Edwards's everyman, Bob Acres, excels, losing his courage in a duel as quickly as Monty Python's accountant when he discovers the true nature of lion-taming. Throw in some music, some well-judged fourth wall breaking and the outrageously Dame-like costumes of Mrs M, and we're more or less treated to an early Panto!

And it's probably wise to think "Upmarket Panto" when you're settling into your seat, the cast happily chatting with the public prior to assuming their characters. Though there are some very subtle lines that tickle the funny bone, the big laughs come from panto's traditional exaggerations and misunderstandings. At not far off three hours long, with torrents of words pouring forth from the characters, buy-in is important. And if you do buy in, there's a huge amount of fun to be had.

Photo Simon Annand