Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac is a classic love story gone wrong. It has been reimagined to come to the Playhouse Theatre in London’s West End from 27 November 2019 to 29 February 2020 starring James McAvoy.
If you are not familiar with the play it was adapted and modernised in a film adaptation Roxanne in 1987 starring Steve Martin and Daryl Hannah. In this version it is reimagined and freely adapted by Martin Crimp.
Cyrano is a strong-willed man of many talents, a soldier, a duelist, a poet and a musician. However, he has a massive nose which makes him insecure with the opposite sex, believing that no one will love him for who he really is. The object of his desire is Roxane but because of his nose he feels she will never be interested in him. When she shares with him that she likes the handsome young Christian, he feels utterly dejected. Despite this he promises to keep her beloved safe.
What lengths will Cyrano go to in order to keep his promise? Will his words ever be able to overcome his physical appearance? What will become of his unrequited love?
The Artiscape spoke with Philip Cairns about his role in the play.
He told us; “There’s a nice hype being involved in the Jamie Lloyd company and working with James McAvoy is pretty cool.” He is also looking forward to bringing this play to new and young audiences.
So what about the character he plays?
“He’s a cadet and goes to war. He is a dad to three children so going to war is a tough exercise” says Cairns.
What other character does Cairns admire in the play?
He tells us “Leila is an excellent character, she is smart and full of love wit and kindness”.
Finally we ask him what he thinks an audience will enjoy about this version of the play?
“I think they will be getting a new and exciting style of theatre” says Cairns. “Our version is very stripped back, Martin Crimp’s language is super and there is lots of spoken word beat boxing. Also, great performances all round I say.”
Cyrano de Bergerac runs at Playhouse Theatre in London’s West End from 27 November 2019 to 29 February 2020.
