‘The Rivals’ was Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s first play and while at first it was not well received it would go on to prove to be a great success and establish Sheridan as a major talent. ‘The Rivals’ satirizes the pretentiousness of English society in the late 18th century. As witty and accessible today as when it was first written, ‘The Rivals’ sparkles with the humor that Sheridan and his writing are known for.