Cyrano de Bergerac

Based on the real life of the seventeenth century French dramatist of the same name, "Cyrano de Bergerac" is Edmond Rostand's classic romantic play. Cyrano, a cadet in the French Army, is a talented duelist, poet, and musician, however he has extreme self-doubt in matters of love due to the large size of his nose. Cyrano is conflicted by his inability to summon the confidence to tell the woman that he adores, Roxane, how he truly feels. He writes her a letter expressing his love with the intent of giving it to her during a rendezvous, however, when he learns that Roxane is in love with another, a handsome new cadet, Christian de Neuvillette, he withholds his admission. Christian lacks the intellect and wit to woo Roxane and enlists the help of Cyrano who, despite being against his own self-interest, agrees. First performed in 1897, "Cyrano de Bergerac", is one of the most popular plays in the French language, which brilliantly dramatizes the idea that beauty is only skin deep and that true love is about more than just physical attractiveness. This edition follows the translation of Gladys Thomas and Mary F. Guillemard and includes an introduction by W. P. Trent.