The School For Scandal

The School for Scandal is a theatrical play by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. This is one of the oldest plays in London’s theatre history, having originally been premiered in 1777 at the Theatre Royal. It consisted of 5 Acts and an epilogue. The story has been adapted into film and television productions many times as well. To watch the show that dates back to the 18^th century, you can buy cheap The School for Scandal tickets.

The play has a number of characters that involve various plots and subplots making for a complex script. But it all starts with Sir Peter Teazle, a wealthy and eligible bachelor who ends up marrying the young daughter of the country squire. The new Lady Teazle now becomes part of a society that is deep rooted in fashion and gossip from which no man, no matter how chaste can escape. The society of which she so intently becomes a part is further divided into gossiping cliques, the worst of which is headed by the Lady Sneerwell.

This particular Lady would go to no end to get what she wants, and for now she has her eyes set on Charles Surface, who seems to be involved with the ward of Sir Peter, Maria. In order to break them apart, she uses a letter forger by the name of Snake in which she composes a series of lies. Moreover, she takes in Joseph, Charles’ brother on her team. The two brothers are quite the opposite of one another. While Charles is good at heart, he has the reputation of being a wild child. Joseph on the contrary is more hypocritical but enjoys a clean cut reputation. Thus he agrees to help Lady Sneerwall in the hopes that he would attain the fortune that might someday be Maria’s. While Sir Peter is fooled by the plot they have woven, Maria sees them for who they are and refuses to listen to them even though her guardian expresses otherwise.

In the meantime, Sir Oliver Surface has returned from his trip to Australia. The two brothers are his nephews and potential heirs, but on hearing of their conflicting reputations, he finds himself in a dilemma. Thus, he decided to go undercover and judge the two before he properly meets either of them. He reaches out to Charles disguised as a money lender. Next comes the play’s iconic auction scene in which the uncle buys of the family portraits and is impressed by Charles’ values of honor. He goes undercover as a poor relative in need of help when he meets Joseph and sees his true personality—cruel and unforgiving.

Through rumors and gossip, somehow Lady Teazle’s and Charles Surface’s name gets linked together, when the real story is that she is faking an affair with Joseph so that she would be talked about and because having a scandal is the fashion. These rumors ultimately go to Sir Peter, her husband who then travels to Joseph’s apartment to confront him. When the two are caught red handed in a meeting, she throws away all pretenses and confesses on how she had been faking this all along and how she is truly in love with just her husband. Thus, Sir and Lady Teazle, and Charles and Maria and united once more.

The play has been admired by audiences all over the world. The production’s biggest proponent has perhaps been William Hazlitt who speaks highly of the effortless comedy that is unlabored as can be. He also talked of how it is flawless and completes the storyline, not leaving anything behind. It gets the audience involved in a manner of true curiosity, wonder and happiness. Others have also called the play a comedy of great intrigue, and the best of its kind within that genre. The music for the play has been composed by Samuel Barber who would perform live while the production was staged as an overture.

Some of the modern day adaptations have tried to whisk out the anti-Semitism that was present in the 18^th century productions. By weeding it out, they have made it more politically correct and more fitting of this era. People in this time can enjoy the play just as much as those in the early days did. The plot is complex and all encompassing so that would not look away for one minute. So buy cheap The School for Scandal tickets to get to witness this engaging play on your own.