Captain Jack Absolute is in love with the beautiful, wealthy heiress Lydia Languish, but she has romantic notions to marry a humble soldier, so to win her affections, Jack assumes the role of a penniless ensign. However, Lydia runs the risk of losing half her inheritance if she upsets her Aunt, the social climbing Mrs Malaprop - "the very pineapple of politeness". Set in Bath, The Rivals is a sparkling summer comedy of wit, love and marriage.