Author
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
1751-1816
Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
The School for Scandal
"The School for Scandal" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan is a comedy of manners first performed in 1777. In fashionable London society, gossip-mongers spread malicious rumors while hidden motives and false reputations abound. Two brothers compete for the same heiress, though one is deemed respectable while the other is considered a wastrel. Meanwhile, their wealthy uncle returns from abroad in disguise to test their true characters. Marriages strain, scandals brew, and nothing is quite as it seems in this world of wit and deception.
The Rivals: A Comedy
"The Rivals: A Comedy" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan is a comedy of manners first performed in 1775. Set in fashionable Bath, the play follows young Jack Absolute who disguises himself as a poor soldier to win the heart of Lydia Languish, a wealthy heiress infatuated with romantic novels. Complications arise from Lydia's word-mangling guardian Mrs. Malaprop, rival suitors, and misdelivered love letters, leading to misunderstandings, quarrels, and an impending duel that threatens to expose Jack's deception.
St. Patrick's Day; Or, The Scheming Lieutenant: A Farce in One Act
"St. Patrick's Day; Or, The Scheming Lieutenant: A Farce in One Act" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan is a play first performed in 1775. Lieutenant O'Connor loves Lauretta, but her jealous father Justice Credulous keeps them apart. With help from the sentimental Dr. Rosy, O'Connor devises elaborate disguises to outwit the obstinate Justice and win his beloved. Through mistaken identities and comic deceptions, the scheming lieutenant pursues his romantic goal in this lighthearted farce of love, trickery, and domestic chaos.
The Duenna: A Comic Opera
"The Duenna: A Comic Opera" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan is a three-act comic opera first performed in 1775. Mostly composed by Thomas Linley the elder and younger, this work became one of the most successful operas ever staged in England, admired by Samuel Johnson and Lord Byron. The story draws from Spanish honor dramas, featuring a young woman who escapes her father's house to avoid an unwanted marriage. Blending original compositions with traditional ballads, it captivated audiences with technically complex songs requiring trained singers—a departure from earlier ballad operas.
A Trip to Scarborough; and, The Critic
"A Trip to Scarborough" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan is a comedy play written in the late 18th century. The narrative follows a series of misunderstandings, romantic pursuits, and social dynamics centered around a group of characters attending the resort town of Scarborough, including Tom Fashion, who seeks fortune and love amid a tangled web of relationships. The opening of the play introduces us to Tom Fashion and his servant Lory, who arrive at an inn in Scarborough. They quickly illustrate their struggles with financial woes, highlighting Tom's disdain for his wealthy brother, Lord Foppington, who is set to marry a wealthy heiress. The interaction reveals Tom’s plan to engage with his brother over money while setting the stage for a humorous clash of personalities. We also meet Colonel Townly, who provides insight into the social landscape of their surroundings, focusing on potential love interests and rivalries, notably regarding Amanda and Berinthia, the ladies caught up in the romantic entanglements. This initial setup hints at the complexities of courtship and deception that will unfold as the characters pursue their various agendas.
Pyhän Patrikin päivä eli Luutnantin keinot: Ilveilys
"Pyhän Patrikin päivä eli Luutnantin keinot: Ilveilys" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan is an 18th-century farce first performed in 1775. Lieutenant O'Connor loves Lauretta, but her jealous father Justice Credulous keeps them apart. With help from his friend Dr. Rosy, the lieutenant devises increasingly elaborate disguises to trick the Justice and win his beloved. Through comic schemes involving fake servants and poisonings, O'Connor attempts to outwit the obstinate father in this playful tale of romantic persistence.