A NEW professional theatre company based in Oxfordshire will take its first show to the Henley Fringe Festival.

Mr Hart's Theatrical Company, founded by Chris Hart and Leon Trayman, is a collective of actors, designers, stage managers and directors, all of whom work extensively in theatre, film, television and radio.

The company is dedicated to producing Restoration plays, which came into vogue following the political and social turmoil of the English Civil War and are enjoyed for their emphasis on wit and repartee for its own sake.

They have certainly withstood the test of time and are as popular now as when they were first staged in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Mr Hart's Theatrical Company kick off their first tour with one of Sheridan's most popular Restoration plays, The Rivals, set in the spa town of Bath in 1775.

The Rivals introduces us to the comic creation Mrs Malaprop, who wants her headstrong niece, Lydia Languish, to marry Captain Jack Absolute for financial reasons.

But Lydia has other ideas. She is obsessed with the romantic ideals of love and is drawn into a relationship with a soldier called Ensign Beverly.

She finds the idea of eloping with the poor soldier utterly romantic and does not know that he is actually the rich Captain Absolute.

When she does discover just who he is, she refuses to marry him.

This gloriously amusing play provides the audience with an evening of rivalry, chivalry, cowardice, secrecy, love, romance and shameless social climbing.

The Rivals will be staged at The Paddocks, Phyllis Court, Marlow Road, Henley, from Monday, July 21, to Saturday, July 26, at 7pm. Tickets can be booked by ringing (07528) 483 572.