Cyrano

Melbourne Theatre Company, with Black Swan State Theatre Company and Perth Festival, present this glorious, modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac. Unashamedly and conspicuously theatrical, this clever queer framed rendition captures and embraces its audience in a tale of acceptance and love.

Set on an empty stage of a theatre (not this theatre - it’s an impeccably detailed set design from Elizabeth Gadsby realised by Jo Briscoe), the frame of actors preparing to put on a play, mixed with ostensible real-life merging with the story, is a conceit that works beautifully - with the theatre setting allowing for lots of direct address to the audience, a smattering of theatre jokes - and an excuse for some clever stage magic later in the show. Paul Jackson creates a clever lighting design, while Kelly Ryall’s sound design ranges from subliminal to “in your face”.

Virginia Gay is outstanding in the central role - with her self-deprecating remarks both more poignant and funnier with the knowledge that she is also the writer. She has written a gem of a role for herself and plays it with wonderful sincerity, depth and swagger. The gender flip for Cyrano works perhaps even more effectively for the character of Cyrano than the original concept. Not only does Cyrano not have the look to appeal to Roxanne, her gender means that for Roxanne, Cyrano may have the wrong body completely.

Tulli Narkle brings presence, sparkle and intelligence to love-interest Roxanne, while rival lover Yan, played by Joel Jackson, new to the cast in Perth, has a great verve, and his charm and comedic skill make this role much more than eye candy. 

The cast features a supporting ensemble of three, called by number in both script and program -  and playing up to some jokes within the show, really do have distinct characters. Fabulous work from the fun-to-watch Kenya Carmellotti (new to the cast for the Perth run), Robin Goldsworthy and Holly Austin.

Cyrano is a production that is fulfilling to watch. A clever, queer and quirky look at a classic, that will endear this story to new audiences.

Kimberley Shaw