Mad Love

A lovely young lady, Lydia Languish, resists attempts by her guardians to select a suitable husband for her. Although she comes from a wealthy family, she considers it more romantic to choose a man from among the lower class. She pursues passion and romance over the common upper-class qualities of wealth and position. Her aunt, Mrs. Malaprop, strives by various means to force Lydia into submission, assisted by old friend Anthony Absolute, whose handsome young son, Captain Jack Absolute, serves in the military. Jack has adopted an alias, Lieutenant Bonny, because he wishes to pursue Lydia and knows she will not see him if she knows him to be among the upper class. Bonny and Lydia carry on a secret romance, but a recent quarrel created by Lydia is keeping them apart. Romance and wit abound in this play adapted from The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. This version is set in England in 1910, and calls for beautiful Edwardian costumes to add to the charm and romance of the clever story.