Who knows
what the man with the nose knows?
A
Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Northern Stage
co-production
Cyrano
de Bergerac
Based
on the translation written by Anthony
Burgess
of
the play written by Edmond Rostand
Directed
by Lorne Campbell
Northern
Stage, Newcastle
Wednesday
29 April to Saturday 16 May
Northern
Stage, in association with the Royal & Derngate in Northampton, have produced a
fascinating study into the human condition. Their artistic director, Lorne
Campbell, has directed an evenly paced production that both engaging and faithful
to its original source material.
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Rehearsal
Photo: Mark
Savage
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As
the audience enter the auditorium, the ensemble are warming up and using the
gym equipment on stage. From the start
Le Bret (John Paul Connolly) immediately assumes control of the action on the
stage. The setting of the show is a
theatre in 1640 Paris. In the time of The Three Musketeers these theatres,
rather resembling tennis courts, we are told, are used to stage plays such as
this. The audience are soon given the treat of a quick rap song which produced
a number of laughs and didn’t feel out of place.
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Rehearsal
Photo: Mark
Savage
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Cyrano
de Bergerac (Nigel Barrett) enters the stage and confidently assumes centre
stage. The role of Cyrano, in Anthony Burgess’s translation, is a fabulous one
with lyrically rich monologues reminiscent of a more modern Shakespeare. The
self deprecating put downs regarding his unusual nose makes one realise how
much the 1987 film, starring Steve Marti, borrows from this play. This play,
however, moves away from the saccharine sweet sentimentality of the film as it
explores the three way tussle between nice but dim Christian (Chris Jared), Cyrano
and the target of their desire Roxanne (Cath Whitfield). The smart lighting design, by Tim Lutkin,
picks out Cyrano as he supplies the chat up lines that Christian uses on
Roxanne.
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Rehearsal
Photo: Mark
Savage
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As
the action moves off to war the action still has its light moments, but such
moments only act as temporary respite from the harsh realities of the
predicament that the characters find themselves in. The poetical dialogue from
Cyrano is cut in with the realities of a starving army that is struggling to
survive. The juxtaposition makes the ending much more powerful.
Cyrano de Bergerac is an
entertaining classic drama which seemingly flies by quicker than the 3 hour
running time suggests. The wonderful
cast and intelligent design couple to make a remarkable theatrical experience.
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com).
Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo
on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
Read
the original Jowheretogo Preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/preview-cyrano-de-bergerac-at-newcastle.html
Photos: Mark Savage
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|
Rehearsal
Photo: Mark
Savage
|
Creative
Team:
Lorne
Campbell Director
Jean
Chan Designer
Tim
Lutkin Lighting
Designer
Alasdair
Mcrae Sound
Designer
Ros
Steen Voice
Director
Liv
Lorent Movement
Director
Rebecca
Frecknall Assistant
Director
Cast:
Nigel
Barrett Cyrano
de Bergerac
John
Paul Connolly Le
Bret/Ligniere
Chris
Jared Christian
George
Potts De
Guiche/Rageneau
Cath
Whitefield Roxane
Ensemble:
Sian Armstrong Samantha Bell Kylie Ann Ford
Sisley Henning Matt
Howdon James Hunter
Tickets:
Cyrano
de Bergerac can
be seen at Northern Stage from Wednesday 29 to Saturday 16 May
Times: Evenings 7.30pm (except Monday 11 May 6pm)
Matinees
– Saturday 2pm
No
performances on Sundays
Tickets: £24, £19.50 &
£14.50 / Students & U21s £12
Box
Office:
0191 230 5151 or online at www.northernstage.co.uk
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