Cyrano de Bergerac
Playhouse Theatre, London
Director: Jamie Lloyd
Starring: James McAvoy, Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Eben Figueiredo, Michele Austin, Adam Best, Sam Black and Nari Blair-Mangat
By Lauren Codling
IN the titular role of the French romance Cyrano de Bergerac, actor James McAvoy may have given one of the best performances of his wide-ranging career.
Perhaps a bold statement, but the BAFTA winning star is truly electrifying as the passionate poet with an extraordinarily ‘large’ nose in the latest adaptation of the Edmond Rostand classic. He is both ferocious and vulnerable as the remarkable Cyrano, a man crippled with self-doubt and desperately in love with his cousin Roxane.
However, the tale of the gifted lyricist is brought to life by not only McAvoy but the entirety of the talented (and wonderfully diverse) cast.
Using contemporary dress, beatboxing and an array of regional accents (including McAvoy’s native Glaswegian tone), Jamie Lloyd's production transforms the heroic comedy into a fresh, edgy version for a modern audience.
Staged similarly to a live poetry jam night, it jolts from comedy to drama in swift turns but steady enough that we do not lose a grip on the emotive narrative. Some of the verses are startlingly complex - it is almost mind-blogging how the cast can spout such complicated, lengthy rhymes at ease.
We are treated to an energetic, almost overwhelmingly at times, introduction to Cyrano. A poetry battle using a microphone wire as a skipping rope? It may sound insane, but it is wonderfully comical in all the right places.
And there is intensity and pain too – a scene when a visibly grieved Cyrano provides his rival Christian with the amorous language to woo Roxane is one of the most powerful, catching the breath of every single audience member present.
Strangely, Cyrano’s large nose is notably absent (actors before have always donned an exaggerated prosthetic in various adaptations of the play). When questioned by reporters, McAvoy put this down to the power of an audience’s imagination – and with a lack of props and a simplistic set, this seems justified enough.
It may lack an exaggerated nose, but the inventive, exciting and all-together exhilarating performances make up for it.
We give Cyrano de Bergerac five out of five stars.
Cyrano de Bergerac is now booking to 29 February 2020
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.