George Brown theatre students bring Cyrano de Bergerac to life.
A love story filled with humour, poetry and heartbreak takes the stage.
George Brown Theatre School students are kicking off their Season of Plays the first of the season is Cyrano de Bergerac.
Translated and adapted for the stage by Kate Hennig from the original 1897 play by Edmond Rostand, the story follows Cyrano, a poet and skilled swordsman who is in love with his cousin Roxane. He struggles to tell her how he feels because of his insecurities about his appearance.
When Roxane falls for Christian, Cyrano offers to help him express his feelings through letters and words that are actually his own.
The opening scenes introduce the characters through a mix of music, humour and strong performances.
The opening scenes set the tone with sound, humour and lively performances. Cyrano’s quick wit gets plenty of laughs, while his feelings for Roxane bring a more romantic side to the story.
The production also features younger versions of Cyrano and Roxane, who appear alongside their older counterparts in several scenes. Their presence gives audiences a look at the characters at different stages of their lives.
The cast does a good job of bringing the characters to life.
Cyrano’s dialogue is delivered with confidence and energy, while Roxane brings a lively energy to the production. Her intelligence and confidence come through in the way she handles the other characters, particularly when she outsmarts De Guiche to help secure her marriage to Christian.
Christian’s performance also captures his love for Roxane, along with the guilt of knowing that the letters she treasures are written by Cyrano.
The play takes a more serious turn in the second half as the story moves towards war. The shift is noticeable as the humour gives way to more emotional moments, particularly following Christian’s death.
The costumes, including elaborate hats, swords and leather boots, help establish the period setting.
For Jamiel Bertrand, who plays Cadet 1, seeing all the elements come together was one of the most memorable parts of the production.
“The first day we were wearing our full costumes, with swords, wigs, capes and seeing the lights and the set is such a magical day to me. I find that we really settle into this world we have built with the text and the story, so when all these other elements finally come together, it feels like a completed puzzle,” they said.
The final moments bring the story together in a particularly moving way.
As Roxane discovers that Cyrano was the one behind the letters she had treasured, the lighting helps create an intimate atmosphere for the revelation. It is a quiet but powerful conclusion to a story built around love, sacrifice and the things left unsaid.
Cyrano de Bergerac runs Nov. 10-14 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts
