Tonight at 7 PM movie theaters around the world (including over 20 in the greater Los Angeles area) will be screening a live performance of Cyrano de Bergerac starring James McAvoy. This is a new version of Edmond Rostand’s play written by Martin Crimp and directed by Jamie Lloyd.
This is definitely NOT a traditional version of Cyrano, a man who is talented with both pen and sword. He is also madly in love with Roxanne (Anita-Joy Uwajeh). Unfortunately for him the only thing larger than his talent is his nose. Will he wither under society’s scrutiny or will his cunning wit help him woo Roxanne?
You might remember the story of Cyrano de Bergerac as told by Steve Martin in the 1987 film Roxanne. That was a modern take on the story (and a lovely film), but this production marches directly into our present day.
In his review for the Evening Standard in London, Nick Curtis said, “James McAvoy gives a stunningly powerful performance in this piece of pure theatre, the most breathtakingly exciting show in London right now.”
Gone are the swords and period clothes. This is a contemporary battle done street-style featuring rap, beat boxes and obvious hip-hop influences.
When Ben Brantley reviewed the play for the New York Times, he said of the contemporary setting that, “it’s soon clear that if you want to stand out in this crowd, you’d better know how to deploy those mics, which become substitutes for swords in duel and battle scenes.”
He goes on to say, “This amplified speech dazzles, seduces and destroys. And no one tops McAvoy’s Cyrano, who is described with awe as the ‘all time crazy genius of the spoken word.’”
So far there have been no announced plans for a New York transfer, or a transfer to any other city, of this production. This may be your best and only opportunity to see this stunning production.
For tickets go here.
Note: There are limited encore showings scheduled for March and May.
