Review of Theatr na n'Og from the theatre dance and drama in Wales web site

Swaggering, larger-than-life and confident

Theatr na n'Og

Theatr na n'Og- Cyrano , Aberystwyth Arts Centre , November 28, 2008

The fourteen-venue tour of “Cyrano” played its last night in Aberystwyth. A previous reviewer has said this is the company’s largest-scale production to date. If so, all concerned, and Theatr Brycheiniog, should be encouraged to do it again, for several good reasons.

First, “Cyrano” looks superb. By coincidence Peter Flannery’s “The Devil’s Whore”, showing twice weekly on Channel 4 , is set in the same period. Theatr Na n’Og’s ostentatious great boots, hats and swordplay are just as persuasive. The production also has at its heart a swaggering, larger-than-life, confident performance in Rob Lane’s Cyrano, a contradictory Romantic creation encompassing violence, tenderness and magnanimity. Just to reinforce his out-sizedness director Geinor Style has him stride through an audience row at the beginning of Act two.

The second reason for this production to be cherished is the music of Dyfan Jones. Last month his elegiac Tryweryn theme was to be heard in “Drowned Out”. “Cyrano” opens with a solo beautifully sung by Eleanor Howell as the unapproachable Roxanne, swathed in wonderful velvet. The long battle scene in Act two is underpinned by a masterful sound score. (Although I could have done with a programme note on who was fighting who, and for what.)

The weakness in “Cyrano” is the source text. Although of course interesting to see Rostand’s stage hit of 1897 contains elements that do not travel well. Structurally, Act one has a brio and verve, taking in a scarily realistic duel, that the second act just can not match. In particular, as with patient Griselda, love as self-sacrifice is not a theme for our age. (It crops up with regularity in the problem pages where it gets clobbered by writers like Sally Brampton as somewhere between affectation and self-delusion.)

But, script apart this is a strong ensemble production. And a next challenge for Theatre Na n'Og? It is a long time since the princes of the Spanish Golden Age were seen on stage. On the evidence of this production Calderon and de la Vega are well within their grasp.

Reviewed by: Adam Somerset

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There are 36 other reviews of productions with this title in our database:

Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (05 December 2024)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (01 May 2024)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (11 April 2024)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (13 December 2023)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (04 August 2022)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (28 October 2019)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (05 November 2018)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (21 October 2018)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (18 November 2017)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (10 March 2016)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Various children of Dens Rd primary Dundee (30 March 2012)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by East Anglian Daily Times (07 March 2012)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Kate Clarke, South Wales Evening Post (29 September 2011)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Gruffudd Owen i Barn (05 September 2011)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (20 October 2009)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams (18 October 2009)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (18 December 2008)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by David Adams (03 December 2008)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams (22 November 2008)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (19 November 2008)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Jim Mayer (16 November 2008)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by David Adams (22 September 2006)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (03 May 2006)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams (25 April 2006)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by David Adams (15 April 2006)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Eiry Miles (Gwefan BBC Cymru) (16 November 2005)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Western Mail, Kay Shipton (22 July 2005)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Sue Lewis, Tivy-Side Advertiser (16 March 2005)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by David Adams (25 February 2005)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Dafydd Meirion (22 February 2005)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams (02 December 2004)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams (10 September 2003)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Elin Wyn Davies. (BBC ar lein) (04 August 2003)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams (28 February 2003)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Western Mail (17 February 2003)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams, South Wales Evening Post, (13 October 2001)

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