Guide Note:
Cyrano de Bergerac is an 1897 play by French writer Edmond Rostand, loosely based on a real historical figure.
Set in France in the 17th century, the play tells the story of the gifted poet and talented swordsman Cyrano, who is cursed with an extremely large nose. Believing himself too ugly to win her love, he is unable to confess his true feelings to the beautiful Roxane. Asked by Roxane to protect the more attractive but verbally clumsy Christian, he agrees, in order to get in her good favor. He also agrees to help Christian court Roxane by composing letters in Christian's name. However, Roxane falls deeper in love with Christian, unaware that the eloquent and romantic letters she received were written by Cyrano.
An often-performed play, it has also been adapted numerous times on film. Famous actors to play Cyrano include Jose Ferrer, Steve Martin and Gerard Depardieu, and a recent Broadway stage adaptation starring Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner is expected to air on PBS in 2008.
Fast Facts:
- Author: Edmond Rostand
- Year of publication: 1897
- Based on the life of the real Cyrano de Bergerac
- The most popular play written in the French language
- Features elements of both tragedy and comedy
- Famous adaptation: the 1987 Steve Martin film Roxanne
- Jose Ferrer's 1950 performance won an Oscar
- Play is written in verse
- Themes: Values and virtue, inner vs. outer beauty, the danger of deception
- First actor to play Cyrano: Constant Coquelin
