Latymer School Play: The Rivals

Dressed in period costumes, the pupils of a North London grammar school act out scenes from R. B. Sheridan's comedy of manners set in 1775 Bath.

This short and snappy film records the annual play put on by the Latymer School's Dramatic Society. With high production values in set design and costumes, good lighting and 'live' intertitles, their 1948 version of Richard Brinsley Sheridan's "The Rivals" is a rare and entertaining treat. Of special note is that the young actress presenting the intertitles and playing Lucy the maid is Dame Eileen Atkins, who went on to make acting her life-long career.

This film is from the collection of Enfield Local Studies Library and Archive.