CYRANO
Park Theatre
★★★
“an exciting adaptation of a classic text that leaves the audience wanting more”
Before the start of Virginia Gay’s adaptation of Cyrano, the cast travel around the audience handing out poetry. A testament to the play’s dedication to words. By Cyrano’s own admission, such words should be at the forefront. However, with the use of an ever present meta-like Chorus and a somewhat self aware lead, the play felt like a study guide rather than an anthology. The story and characters were constantly being analysed and commented on as devices and functions rather than purely experiencing the world as people. The result was a simple story with an easy enough plot being complicated by its over intellectualization of itself.
Cyrano (Virginia Gay) is a local smart person, with a way with words and an unfortunately large nose. A nose so terrible that she believes she is incapable of love. They quickly meet Roxanne (Jessica Whitehurst): a beautiful yet shallow woman who has a huge crush on gorgeous yet wordless Yan (Joseph Evans). Roxanne is dissatisfied by Yan’s lack of ability to communicate meaningfully with her, which Cyrano pities. Therefore, Cyrano steps in to assist Yan by doing the talking for him. The original Cyrano is a classic text, however, not one that I’ve personally ever read or seen. This version assumes you already know the story, opening with the Chorus (Tessa Wong, David Tarkenter, Tanvi Virmani) trying to define its genre and making references which I was honestly quite confused by. If the point of modern adaptations is partly to make such classic texts more accessible then this didn’t help.
The Chorus continues to comment on the narrative throughout the play. This is of course traditional of this role, yet it did feel like the audience was being told how to feel. Points where we were told the scene is sad, for example, rather than the characters simply experiencing sadness. What saves us from this being a constant theme throughout was Virginia Gay’s performance as Cyrano. Her solo moments on stage were incredibly warm and personal, making you feel as if you were right next to her as she confessed her inner life. Other stand outs include Chorus member 2, David Tarkenter, who adds depth to his portrayal of comic relief and context delivery by giving a sense of real personal stake within the story. A very appreciated addition to the Chorus that would otherwise make the stage feel overcrowded with exposition and one liners.
This adaptation changes the ending of the story. I was made aware of this as the characters state what happens in the original. It instead concludes by an attempt to make amends. This culminates in Roxanne stating one conclusion and then very quickly changing her mind. With ten minutes of run time to spare and the need for a happy ending, deus ex machina is applied yet unfortunately lacks any punch. It was times like this in the play I deeply wished for more of the poetry that Gay uses singularly for Cyrano, to also be truly exploited for the dialogue.
The set (Amanda Stoodley) was minimal, using a mirror, three stage blocks, a spiral staircase and a piano. The floor was painted white with many markings, presumably for the movement of the set. Costume (Stoodley) was modern and reflected a sense of each character. Cyrano wears jeans, boots and a shirt which favours practicality over beauty. Roxanne wears satin red joggers and a decorated satin jacket – comfortable yet glamorous in style.
Lighting (Andy Purves) and Sound (Toby Young) were very effective in driving the piece. Moments of intimacy were heightened by gentle fades of light focused centre stage and moments of silence contracted well with the business of ensemble scenes. Dance breaks were also dotted around throughout with classic disco songs, paired with colour washes and the occasional smoke machine.
Overall, an exciting adaptation of a classic text that leaves the audience wanting more. Unfortunately I fear what they may want more of is substance.
CYRANO
Park Theatre
Reviewed on 17th December 2024
by David Robinson
Photography by Craig Sugden
Previously reviewed at this venue:
BETTE & JOAN | ★★★★ | December 2024
GOING FOR GOLD | ★★★★ | November 2024
THE FORSYTE SAGA | ★★★★★ | October 2024
AUTUMN | ★★½ | October 2024
23.5 HOURS | ★★★ | September 2024
BITTER LEMONS | ★★★½ | August 2024
WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU | ★★★★★ | August 2024
THE MARILYN CONSPIRACY | ★★★★ | June 2024
IVO GRAHAM: CAROUSEL | ★★★★ | June 2024
A SINGLE MAN | ★★★★ | May 2024
SUN BEAR | ★★★ | April 2024
HIDE AND SEEK | ★★★★ | March 2024
CYRANO
CYRANO
CYRANO
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