Cyrano, Park Theatre Review
Jessica Whitehurst (Roxanne) and Virginia Gay (Cyrano). Photo by Craig Sugden
Written by Bronagh for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Content warnings: strong language.
Cyrano is Park Theatre’s Christmas show of 2024, promising a joyous production filled with music and romance. Sounds like the perfect rom-com doesn’t it? Throw in party hats, streamers and some great music - we are onto a winner. Writer Virginia Gay plays Cyrano, presented as a queer woman seemingly ashamed of her sexuality. Gay describes her version as a ‘love letter to theatre’ as opposed to the usual perception of Cyrano which is an exploration of loneliness and hope. Cyrano pines after Roxanne (Jessica Whitehurst) who is, of course, drooling over the conventionally hot Yan (Joseph Evans). This is a production which certainly reminds me of the power of words and the effect that they can have… desired or otherwise.
We file into the auditorium as Cyrano hands out copies of a poem and streamers to members of the audience. Other cast members are already on stage, engaging with the audience. I instantly wondered if there would be audience participation – despite being told we didn’t need to do anything with the poem. I was partially correct, with the audience getting to join in by wearing party hats and throwing the streamers onstage. There were a few points where the cast directed questions to the audience, but nothing major. My kind of audience participation, for sure!
Unfortunately, I struggled slightly to get into the first half of Cyrano. Despite a few laughs here and there, I just wasn’t as grabbed as I expected to be. The chorus (Tessa Wong, David Tarkenter and Tanvi Virmani) are very much two dimensional and simply called 1,2 and 3. A few of the jokes in the chorus fell slightly flat; jokes about limps and not knowing who one of the chorus members was just didn’t do it for me. The chorus are good addition to likes of the partying scenes, plenty of fun but perhaps not essential.
I had started to slowly give up until the classic scenes where Cynrano helps Yan (Joseph Evans) seduce Roxanne (Jessica Whitehurst) with the power of words. This is where I really did sit up and pay attention. With club music thumping in the background, the chorus watching on and the use of lighting, these are extremely powerful and delightfully erotic scenes. Shame that the next day, Roxanne is miffed with Yan and the lack of a spark. This is where I could see Gay’s vision come to life, the powerful use of words drawing characters together but also pushing them apart. Gay truly is a wordsmith and a brilliant one at that.
Cyrano draws to an end, and for a few moments, it isn’t too clear how things are going to go. Are we going to go down the tragic route, or the rom-com route? Of course, we go for rom-coms with streamers, party hats and glitter galore. Cyrano ends with just Cyrano and Rozanne alone with each other, lying on their backs amongst the chaos. Gorgeous words and exchanges glitter and sparkle in the air between them as this modern, fresh and ambitious production of Cyrano comes to an end.
At The Park Theatre until 11th January 2025.
★ ★ ★.5
