Cyrano

A fresh, witty reimagining of the classic tale of wit, love, and self-worth. A world premiere at Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh.

Perfect for audiences who love clever, romantic theatrical adaptations.

About the Ebook

Cyrano is the most interesting person in any room – a wordsmith, a charmer. She works twice as hard and runs twice as fast as the pretty boys, because she's deeply ashamed of something about herself.

Enter Roxanne: brilliant and beautiful, with a penchant for poetry and a way with words, just like Cyrano. But Roxanne only has eyes for Yan: hot, manly Yan, who is dumbstruck around Roxanne. (Probably shy, right?) Until suddenly he starts saying the most amazing things. But it's not Yan writing these perfect love scenes, it's Cyrano...

A joyous, gender-flipped retelling of Edmond Rostand's classic play, Cyrano is a love letter to hope; to language and desire; to the lo-fi magic of theatre.

This big-hearted, irreverent queer-as-hell rom-com was first performed by Melbourne Theatre Company in 2022. A new production, directed by Clare Watson and produced by Roast Productions, was a hit at the Traverse Theatre during the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, winning a Fringe First Award, before transferring to Park Theatre, London.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Sharp wit paired with genuine emotional depth.
• Exploration of identity and the power of words.
• Published by Nick Hern Books, leading contemporary theatre publisher.
• A dazzling love story for the stage.

Reviews

'Is there a smarter, funnier, sexier or more romantic adult alternative to traditional holiday fare than this exceptionally knowing same-sex take on Edmond Rostand's tragicomedy now playing in London? I doubt it... Gay's fleet script has a swoony yet muscular and consistently meta-theatrical wit... brilliant and poignant... a giddy and sensitive celebration of love; a feel-good romp full of deep pleasures that seem to reach beyond the space in which we experience them... What a treat' The Times

'Enormously uplifting and infectiously sweet. This is theatre at its most happy-making. A total treat' The Stage

'Dazzlingly clever… witty, knowing, satirical and heartfelt all at once' Financial Times

'A sizzling and hilarious twenty-first-century comedy… A damn near-perfect night out' Scotsman

'A mighty hoot… Told with buckets of goodwill' WhatsOnStage

'Sparkles with wit and intelligence… Brims with sensuality' Daily Mail

'Far more than a faithful adaptation... this Cyrano is both heartwarming and a challenge to heteronormacy... it pulls you into its vibrant and vivacious energy' Broadway World

'Sparky... delicious... powerfully erotic' Reviews Hub

'Big-hearted... full of warmth and joy... brings Rostand's play into the 21st century' London Theatre

'A glorious, sensual play... excruciatingly exciting... Cyrano wears its heart, mind, and soul upon its sleeve, and it's difficult not to find yourself enchanted by it' All That Dazzles

'Bold, unapologetic, and powerful, this Cyrano is a must-see for anyone seeking a fresh, thought-provoking take on a timeless story' A Youngish Perspective

About the Author

Virginia Gay is an Australian actress, writer, director, and Artistic Director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

Her plays include Cyrano (Melbourne Theatre Company, 2022; Edinburgh Fringe and Park Theatre, London, 2024), a gender-flipped re-imagining of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac.

Publication Details

Publisher: Nick Hern Books

Publication Date: 19 December 2024

Print Length: 104 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788508490

Format: Ebook

Language: English

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