Review: Cyrano de Bergerac at Northern Stage

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 2015

                      

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.

Rehearsal

Photo: Mark Savage

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.

Rehearsal

Photo: Mark Savage

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.

Rehearsal

Photo: Mark Savage

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 

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