Cyrano de Bergerac

 Cyrano de Bergerac
The Jamie Lloyd Company
BAM Harvey Theater
May 14, 2022 

Photo courtesy of BAM

Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac is magnificently re-envisioned by Playwright/Translator Martin Crimp.  This production, originally scheduled to run at Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2020, is now running at the Harvey Theater.  Directed by Jamie Lloyd, this interpretation celebrates words: the power of the written word, the poetry in the rhythm of words, and the value of the spoken word.  This Olivier-winning production comes direct from London, and is not to be missed.

Cyrano de Bergerac (played by James McAvoy), a soldier, a poet, and a true romantic, is passionately in love with Roxanne (played by Evelyn Miller).  He has kept this secret hidden from her due to his ugliness.  He has an extremely large nose, which he is very sensitive about.  Anyone who comments on it is met with his vicious wrath.  When Roxanne falls in love with Christian (Eben Figueiredo), a new soldier in Cyrano’s regiment, she asks Cyrano to protect him.  Although brokenhearted, Cyrano agrees.  Christian, fully aware of Cyrano’s sensitivity, makes fun of his nose in full view of the other men in his regiment in order to prove his bravery.  Cyrano is about to pounce, when Christian’s name is revealed.  Cyrano befriends Christian out of loyalty to Roxanne.  He tells Christian of Roxanne’s love.  Christian explains that, when it comes to women, he is not good with words.  The two men enter a pact.  Cyrano will write letters to Roxanne and sign Christian’s name.  All goes well, until Christian realizes that it is Cyrano who Roxanne is truly in love with. 

James McAvoy as Cyrano
Photo courtesy of BAM & The Jamie Lloyd Company

This production is brilliantly staged in the style of spoke word performance.  In the opening scene the cast of eighteen line up on the stage and set the tone and rhythm for what is about to unfold.  They are a united ensemble.  They introduce the characters and the main story line.  Most of the dialogue/poetry throughout the play is direct address.  Therefore, the moments when the characters look directly at one another are amazingly powerful.  The relationships are strong.  The passion is visceral.  The poetry is enthralling. 

James McAvoy & Eben Figueiredo
Photo courtesy of BAM & The Jamie Lloyd Company

James McAvoy is commanding and charismatic as Cyrano.  Evelyn Miller is self-assured and demanding as Roxanne.  Eben Figueiredo is naive and arrogant as Christian.  Tom Edden is portentous and threatening as De Guiche. 

Cyrano de Bergerac runs at the BAM Harvey Theater through May 22.  Don’t let this unique and exciting production close without seeing it for yourself. 

Domenick Danza

Betrayal

Betrayal

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre

August 16, 2019

Photo courtesy of Betrayal

Jamie Lloyd has brilliantly directed the Broadway production of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, originally produced by his theatre company in London.  He keeps the pace slow, steady, and deliberate so that every glance and detail holds the meaning it need to convey the underlying story.  Every moment is rich with emotion that layers deep subtext throughout the dialogue.  The reverse chronology flows seamlessly.  All three main actors rarely leave the stage, even when they are not in a scene.  This adds a haunting reminder of the betrayal that is constantly occurring and ever-present.

In the opening we see three people on stage.  One male character fades into the background as Emma (played by Zawe Ashton) and Jerry (played by Charlie Cox) seat themselves downstage.  After some light small talk about their spouses and children, we find out that they had a five-year affair that ended two years earlier.  Emma called Jerry to meet because the previous night her and her husband, Robert (played by Tom Hiddleston), decided to split up.  During that conversations, Robert admitted that he betrayed her on numerous occasions.  She, of course, confesses the truth of her long-standing affair with Jerry, who is also Robert’s best friend.  Jerry meets with Robert the next day to face his friend directly, only to find out that Robert knew about the affair for years.  Robert never addressed it with Jerry, who now feels confused and surprisingly betrayed.  The story unfolds by going backwards, peeling open past everts and interactions layered with deceit and betrayal.

Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Cox, & Zawe Ashton
Photo courtesy of Betrayal

Tom Hiddleston, Zawe Ashton, and Charlie Cox are remarkable.  The chemistry between all three actors is riveting.  Their characters are constantly on edge, and every scene contains a different level of emotional danger.  When the story unravels back to the first moment of betrayal, we see them as vulnerable and unaware of how their subsequent actions will shape them.  It is a genuine and touching moment.

Betrayal is playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre for a limited time.  It is a sensitive and emotionally driven production of a well-crafted play.  You have until December 8 to see it.

Domenick Danza