Tessa Wong, Virginia Gay, and Joseph Evans in Cyrano, Park Theatre. Photo: Craig Sugden

Virginia Gay's effervescent, gender-flipped rom-com version of Cyrano won a Fringe First award and now takes up residence at the Park Theatre.

A Greek Chorus sets a cheeky, humourous tone. Two know each other - 1 (Tessa Wong) and 2 (David Tarkenter), but neither knows 3 (Tanvi Virmani), which becomes a running joke. There are other running jokes.

3 tends to blurt out inappropriate things, while 1 likes to play with metaphors, and 2 is very thespy. Their sage and silly commentary isn't just in the background.

Then we meet Cyrano (Virginia Gay), who has an amazing way with words and an amazingly large nose - we are told, as it's left to our imagination. 

Cyrano falls in love with the beautiful and clever Roxanne (Jessica Whitehurst), who falls in love with the pretty but dim Yan (Joseph Evans). The latter enlists Cyrano to help him woo Roxanne.

Beneath the wit and humour, of which there is plenty, this a sexy, heartfelt story. It is raucous, playful and joyful, but it also has its sad and poignant moments, just as a rom-com should.

There are subtleties, too, such as Cyrano's slow drift into trying to look like Yan - in dress, at least.

In keeping with the original story, it is also an exploration of language and wordplay - the cleverness and snobbishness that can come with that. There are morals to the tale: Sometimes a simpler, more direct language can be just as effective or just be yourself.

Virginia Gay's Cyrano is witty and fun with a party spirit that feels wholly appropriate for the festive season. I'm giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cyrano, Park Theatre

Written by Virginia Gay after Edmond Rostand

Directed by Clare Watson

Cast: Virginia Gay, Jessica Whitehurst, Joseph Evans, Tessa Wong, David Tarkenter, Tanvi Virmani

Running time 90 minutes with no interval

Booking until 11 January, for more details and to buy tickets, visit the Park Theatre website

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The Tempest, Theatre Royal Drury Lane (video review) booking until 1 February, 2025 ⭐️⭐️⭐️