Cyrano de Bergerac at Festival Theatre in Stratford.
Despite the fact that this play was written in 1897, it is
often assumed that Cyrano de Bergerac is the
outcome of the times when the action takes place – about the
middle of the 17th century. When it opened in France
it was welcomed with enthusiasm by an audience starved for a
different emotional story, not just a typical romantic comedy
with a happy ending. Edmond Rostand managed to create a rare
combination of history - so cherished in France - with a tragic
romance spiced up by periodic comical elements. This is a
combination that cannot but succeed.
This season staging of Cyrano de Bergerac at
Stratford is superbly done; the director Donna Feore who is
known for her numerous past productions of plays has created
another masterpiece.
The title role of Cyrano is played by Colm Feore. Feore has
quite a list of successful roles in his acting career, from
Macbeth, Coriolanus, Hamlet and Romeo to some movie roles like
Bon Cop, Bad Cop and even Trudeau in the TV
production of the same title. He is a mature and talented actor,
with a number of award nominations and successes to his name. As
Cyrano he is wonderfully convincing, beautifully balancing a
real emotional drama with comical elements, never overdoing
either. Even his famous nose is not overdone -and I understand
there are about 26 prothesis of it made ready.
Roxane is played by a young actress Amanda Lisman, and Christian
de Neuville by Mike Shara. Shara has spent 10 years at Shaw
Festival, only recently moving to Stratford. They are both
charming, however Colm Feore outshines them all.
Most memorable in this production are stage fights and the
explosion set up so convincingly and masterfully choreographed
and timed thanks to John Stead, fight director, and costumes (
designed by Santo Loquasto) – rich and colourful, nothing
spared, nothing cheap, absolute joy for any history buff. I have
not seen anything so detailed and rich since Three
Musketeers in the movie theatre, and that was long time
ago. It was a rare joy for eyes.
This is another superb production at Stratford, historical and
at the same time appealing to a broader audience. The Festival
Theatre was packed, hard to find a parking spot, local
restaurants welcoming visitors and the park becoming. There are
even baby swans coming out on the river.
Cyrano de Bergerac continues to November 1st.
The box office number is 1-800-567-1600 or connect to
www.statfordshakespearefestival.com. Have a good Summer.
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