Perhaps The Greatest Comedy Of Its Era
Playwright, poet, and politician Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) did not produce many works--some sources note that he was frequently afflicted with writer's block--but among them were two titles that have remained constants of world theatre: THE RIVALS (1775) and THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL (1777.)
In may respects THE SCHOOL SCANDAL anticipates the slightly later novel LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES (1782) by de Laclos, for both works present portraits of a hypocritical social world that amuses itself--and fiercely manipulates others--through rumor, scandal, and extra-marital affairs. But where LIAISONS is essentially a portrait of evil machinations that succeed against virtue, SCANDAL is a witty portrait of evil machinations that fail when confronted by personal integrity. Sparkling with wickedly amusing malice, it is a gossamer farce that draws heavily upon the earlier Restoration styles of Wycherly and Congreve but molds them into a less uncompromising turn of mind.
The central plot turns upon two brothers, Joseph and Charles Surface, both of whom are wards of the wealthy but long absent Sir Oliver. Joseph appears to be an upstanding member of society; Charles appears to be a wild spendthrift--but appearances are deceiving, for in truth Joseph is miserly and vicious where as Charles is generous and open-hearted. The Lady Sneerwell has determined to have Charles for a lover; as such she works with Joseph to break Charles' attachment to Maria, who is the ward of Sir Peter Teazle.
Although the plot arises from Lady Sneerwell's determination to capture Charles Surface, the actual focus of the play falls on Sir Peter and Lady Teazle. Sir Peter sought and married a significantly younger and socially unstudied country girl--but once she set foot in London she unexpectedly transformed into a lady of fashion. Indeed, Lady Teazle has fallen in with Lady Sneerwell and her malicious circle, where talk consists almost exclusively of maliciously witty gossip that greatly damages its subjects. Thinking herself above suspicion, Lady Teazle determines to have an affair with Charles Surface... and becomes a victim of "the school for scandal" herself.
As it unravels the plot includes mistaken identities, impersonations, and farcical situations--the "screen scene" is particularly famous--but then as now the great thing about THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL is its dialogue. The play is in theory a moral lesson on the immorality of gossip and its attendant dangers, but most of its humor actually arises from the wildly funny nature of the malacious gossip that colors every scene. The lines are like rapiers, and whether on the page or in the hands of experienced players they ring with hilarity. It is a gossamer flyweight, true--but no less artful or influential for that. Strongly recommended.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Graduate Studies in Gossip and Family Intrigue
Sheridan's 1777 farcical treatment of upper class snobbery and reputation ruination sparkles even two centuries later--whether on the boards or on the pages. Delightfully irreverent this five-act play entertains despite its period setting, for costumes, accessories and expressions can not detract from the basic functioning and foibles of human nature. The Dover Thrift edition includes A PORTRAIT (flattering poem addressed to a possible patroness), a PROLOGUE written by Garrick, an acclaimed actor-manger, and an EPILOGUE written by Mr. Colman. Yet the actual dialogue stands alone, in never-ending waves of wit and satire.
Offering an extensive cast these 75 pages reveal the worst of Sheridan's 18th century Society; the last names alone indicate shamelessly
the predominant character flaws among the self-centered cheats, flatterers and hypocrites: Mrs. Sneerwell, the Surface brothers, Lady Teazle, and Mrs. Candour among others. Literary gimmicks include
mistaken identities, overhead conversations and outrageous distortion of the facts which precipitates shocking rumors. No one's reputation is safe, while some characters delight in spouting Sentiments--moralizing platitudes.
The machinations of this cast of zanies who take themselves most seriously--whether motivated by love or money--provide amusing fodder
for those who appreciate Comedy raised to the heights of an art form. Audiences and readers alike will experience the entire gamut of humor in this slender volume, for bon mots are interspersed among the devious plottings and dastardly scheming of the various characters--often at direct odds with each other. Lessons of Life and morality can be learned (possibly by lack of proper example) if one enrolls in this entertaining School for Scandal.
Easy to Read - Great Comedy More Than Two Centuries Later
The School for Scandal was a pleasant surprise. We meet devious and unscrupulous characters, not the ragtag pickpockets found in later stories by Dickens, but self-centered members of the leisure class in London. The cast includes the appropriately named Lady Sneerwell, Mr. Snake, Mr. Crabtree, Sir Benjamin Backbite, Mrs. Candour, and the superficial Mr. Surface - individuals all too capable of undermining the most refined and honest reputations with innuendoes and ingenious fabrications.Unlike the literature and poetry of the preceding centuries, footnotes are not needed for this late eighteenth century play. I read the entire play in a single session, and clearly this is a comedy to be relished, one whose enjoyment comes as naturally today as when it was first staged at Drury Lane theater in London in 1777.
Why does Richard Brinsley Sheridan's play still resonate with today's audience? Sheridan offers a deliciously humorous look at that fascinating and seemingly unchanging human characteristic, the propensity to gossip, to tell tales about others with only limited concern for the truth. Like Mrs. Candour, we all claim to abhor gossip, and would not ourselves consider creating fictitious tales, but are we immune from conveying stories about others, even stories which are suspect?
Lady Sneerwell rationalizes: Wounded myself in the early part of my life by the envenomed tongue of slander, I have since known no pleasure equal to the reducing others to the level of my own injured reputation.
Mr. Snake, another memorable villain, explains: I beg your ladyship ten thousand pardons: you paid me extremely liberally for the lie in question, but I unfortunately have been offered double to speak the truth.
The School for Scandal is a classic example of an English comedy of manners. The dialogue is witty and entertaining. The plot is elaborate and contrived, but always maintains interest and momentum as Sheridan brings his intertwined subplots to an entertaining and satisfactory conclusion. Along the way we encounter devious plots and counterplots, disguised identities, and outrageous behavior. It is great fun.
Good satire of gabby society
Sheridan's phrase "school for scandal" is a grand metaphor for the gossipy London society of the late 1770's, and the longevity of the play that bears it as its title attests to its relevance in any place and time. Sheridan captures the inherent drama and humor in the truism that people are always talking about other people behind their backs and uses it as a foundation on which to devise a plot of intrigue. The school's "principals" are Lady Sneerwell and a man named Snake, who like to collect gossip about their neighbors and others in London society; one of their cohorts is the brilliantly ironic character Mrs. Candour, who openly reprehends idle gossip but blithely participates in it anyway. One of their favorite subjects of gossip is the Surface brothers, Joseph and Charles. The popular perception is that Joseph is responsible and respectable, while Charles is a wastrel and a miscreant.
The Surface brothers' uncle, Sir Oliver Surface, returns to London after spending many years in India, hears the rumors about his nephews, and decides to verify them for the purpose of choosing an heir between the two. Since he has been gone so long that his nephews would not recognize him, he visits them incognito. Posing as a moneylender to Charles, and as a poor relative to Joseph, he discovers that his nephews are not quite of the natures he has been led to believe.
Sheridan employs some typical comedic devices like love triangles and hiding characters, but for the most part this is an inventive play that picks its targets well and hits the bullseye every time. Considering it was written at such a turbulent time in England's history, it's interesting that social satire still managed to break through greater national concerns and be successful and appreciated.
Delightfully Scandalous
This book made it fun and delightful to follow how rumors and scandals are started. Anyone who wants a ligth hearted read in the style of a Shakespearean comedy, "School for Scandal" by Richard Sheridan is for you. It has the most entertaining characters, who anyone could recognize as being people they know and are friends with, and it pokes fun at soap-opera-like dramas that have forbidden loves and misleading coincidences. The situations that arise seem so unthinkable and impossible, and then you realize that you or someone you know has been there right down to the last detail. "School for Scandal" is a entertaining read for anyone who has ever passed on a rumor.
