Cyrano @ Park Theatre…

Last Saturday night Stuart and I went to see gender-swapping Cyrano at the Park Theatre in London's glitzy Finsbury Park.

 

Virginia Gay’s modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac (now titled simply Cyrano), which arrived here via this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, significantly trims Edmond Rostand’s 1897 tragedy, removing unnecessary characters, depressing plot, and more than one flowery speech. This is Cyrano-lite if you like.

 

This version of the play heavily implies that far more than Cyrano’s large and unattractive nose (as in the original) stands between her and winning Roxanne’s love. Instead, her gender and, in effect, her entire physical appearance, is the blocker.

 

As it's panto season you might expect a happy ending.

 

Although the only slightly odd aspect of this romp is perhaps the early-on seduction of Roxanne itself - using Yan's body yet with Cyrano words - it all seems like they are not actually asking for her full consent. Admittedly Roxanne remonstrates somewhat, but in this rewritten version I fear the lady doth not protest quite enough.

 

Anyway, it's a fun show and well worth the 90-minute running time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️