James McAvoy on 'Cyrano de Bergerac' | Interview

James McAvoy on NT Live's broadcast of Cyrano de Bergerac to cinema's on Thursday 20 February. Discussing everything from the production's contemporary appeal and asthetic, the super-power of words and how he hopes, 'people come out exhausted... in a good way'.
Cyrano de Bergerac has been adapted by Martin Crimp from the original play by Rostand about two men hoping to win the heart of the beautiful Roxanne, but can true love transcend what society would look to ridicule?
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[@dannahB]

Loved the play. Amazing. James is stunning. No offense for the other actors but his acting is out of this world. He nailed it.

[@susancross2710]

He deserves an Oscar, mesmerising and beautiful. Magnificent play.

[@rhondapeak5419]

Exhausted is the right word. I came away thrilled, moved, mesmerised, heartbroken. It was exceptional and McAvoy was a revelation.

[@cns7404]

He’s always great looking....short hair, long hair, he just gets even better with time.

[@MaxRyan777]

Just saw it in the cinema and I was BLOWN AWAY. So glad James got this vehicle to really show his depth as an actor. Brilliant 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@vilruth2705]

He is beautiful man❤️!!!

[@RendezvouDoo]

Checked out his wife because im a stalker n used to be a research assistant so it comes natural. Its cool he married an equal/friend. Usually big actors go for half their age models. Love him. Seems like hes good thru n thru. Tho noones perfect. Keep getting it, James. Shine on.

[@silviafariello9972]

Watched it Saturday 19th February 2022, in London: AMAZING, McAvoy was in control of what I was feeling, in love, desperate, angry, in pain

[@delirium341]

I imagine person (oh boy, in my head i said it with scottish accent xD ) that sees this as his first theatre experience will never be satisfied again. Masterpiece. Just wish i saw it live ...

[@sygendron]

Saw it yesterday. It was glorious! I can't even fathom the immense work it took to get that result from a cherished classic. Bravo to the writer, to the director and to the actors, who were all fabulous. And James is definitely one of the greats of all time.

[@lynsmith1574]

Watched it last night with NTLive. I’m a big fan of James McAvoy but I was overwhelmed by his performance. He was Cyrano. The others were just very good actors. I was both buzzing and drained after the show. I was boring friends with it today - couldn’t stop talking about it. I will remember that for a long time.

[@Gleem1313]

I hope they revisit it on KZbin. I would love to see it.

[@terragrahamthefirst]

Hi! I’m in a bit of a quandary! I have tickets to see Cyrano live in May, and also tickets to see an NTL screening of it in March. I already know I’m going to love the play with all my heart, so it’s difficult to give up any opportunity to see it performed-but I’m worried that the live version will lose some of its effect if I’ve already seen the screening. What do you think I should do?

[@elenanichol6099]

i really wish i could buy a recording. this was an exquisite performance

[@MiraNemcik]

definitely came out of seeing the play yesterday exhausted.. in a *really* good way. gosh, I want to see it again

[@josephearls4111]

I was so riveted that I’ve been looking for a rebroadcast over all over, and now it’s back in the US in early April. I’d want to bring several people.

[@Paulaplops68]

Oh yes!!! I was exhausted and emotionally spent!!! A fantastic play and performed spectacularly by James McAvoy 🎭🙏🏼

[@benwest10]

yes, barely a breath left

[@magosja13]

Am speechless! Superb! Very powerful and unforgettable! ❤️❤️❤️

[@kefinkamed]

Well, I saw it live back in December, and I indeed left exhausted. I had to literally walk it off along the South Bank all the way to the Tower Bridge. Three days later, I bought another ticket and another flight ticket, as I don't live in the UK. Best money I've spent in a loooong time ❤️💔❤️

[@claredorothy5087]

I am going to change my name by deed poll to Roxanne so I can imagine James McAvoy is speaking these words to me.

[@SanaKhan-kl4kh]

My favourite play so far, this rendition is amazing and all the people in it performed it so well, down to all the brains behind the layout and movement and lighting, left feeling exhausted indeed and smiling from ear to ear!

[@markusg4744]

I saw it in a cineplex in munich. It was amazing. I saw Cyrano de Bergerac with Gérard Depardieu when i was 10 and laughed about his nose. First, when i saw Mcavoy, i was disappointed, no nose, no funny colours. But only 10 min after the start i was totally fascinated

[@dianaakhmetova3024]

Just watched it in Kazakhstan and I am speechless. It was the first play In English for my teenage brother and he absolutely loved it. Never thought that theatre could be so accessible, powerful, funny, heartbreaking at the same time. Thank you!

[@capriceg7042]

(#78) James McAvoy is an amazing actor! He can do so very much! 😁🌞😄

[@ramilkulakhmetov8283]

insane performance by james, pure magic

[@brennanuckols885]

Extraordinary performance!

[@carol3978]

Saw this with NT Live. What an outstanding production! When it started I was intrigued but cautious about such a modern take on an old well-known play. By the finish I was totally overwhelmed. Only hope that one day I'll have the opportunity to see it broadcast again. It was amazing. James McAvoy and all the cast are sensational.

[@monikaszymanowska5142]

I regret I didn't see the play with James McAvoy but knowing the plot by heart I hardly imagine how he could impersonate a shy and unwanted man, he is sooo physical:-)

[@kissen1007]

Exceptional experience. Don't get popcorn - the story starts fast and the jokes come quick, you don't want to miss any of it. I am so thrilled to see NTLive is showing this more than just Feb 20th!! I saw it then and still think about it daily, so having another chance to go in my area means my friends are getting the chance to come see what I won't shut up about.

[@RendezvouDoo]

Amazing ❤ passion as usual!!!

[@andiecayne]

Going to see it again - it was incredible.

[@LadyJoolree]

So good I found the shekels to go see it twice! Even seeing it the second time I came away having had an amazing experience. His performance was amazing, but the whole cast was great too. Truly one of my best ever theatre experiences! I wonder if Picturehouse will screen it again, I'd love to see it a third time.

[@jojobrown2504]

Hopefully I can see this !

[@gisawslonim9716]

I saw Jose Ferrer in the play about 70 years ago and for me he was and still is the embodiment of Cyrano, the most romantic character that ever trod the stage ... and a real person who claimed to have visited the moon and he even wrote all about that visit. The church which is the setting for the first scene is still very much on view in Paris, to this day.

[@dianewalker9154]

I love the stripped back approach. The focus then becomes the actors performance of Shakespeare’s brilliant words. Coriolanus was the same way. It’s just a fabulous result.

[@MeMe-nd3ft]

The play is by Rostand not Shakespeare

[@walterwhite5578]

I agree with what he said. Before the age of television in the early 16 century when Shakespeaker was around. How do you know how he spoke like. Yes, we have the words from his plays he wrote but we do not know the rhythm of how he spoke because cameras were not around

[@meritxellantunez7539]

im seeing cyrano next week please pray for me cuz i know im gonna pass out the minute mr james mcavoy shows up

[@lauraelissamburu22]

Como no amarlo

[@TheLucidscreamz]

ahh jamie , you completly got it on the word adaptation and 5 words left ..i must see this show

[@AlineSantos-en1vu]

Lindo ❤️

[@benwest10]

absolutely fanTASTIC.. hurt me that it was so badly promoted in the provinces, i was the youngest at 50 in the audience

[@Paulaplops68]

ben ben our audience all looked in their 60s! I’m 51 and took my 16 year old son who is a performer, I only knew about it because I saw it on James McAvoy’s Instagram.

[@benwest10]

@@Paulaplops68 did you both enjoy it?

[@Paulaplops68]

ben ben very much!!! My son wants to act so he took a lot from it. The whole thing was extraordinarily brilliant 👍🏼

[@benwest10]

@@Paulaplops68 I'd not been to the theatre in such a long time, a superb way to return to the audience fold. I wish your son all the best of luck (leg breaking).

[@Paulaplops68]

ben ben thank you 🙏🏼 We usually go to see musicals but I’m now looking to go and watch more plays in our local theatres (Nottingham)

[@figgysmezzo]

I am JUST learning about this today! :( Does anyone know if there is somewhere I can go to watch this? I'm in the US. I love James and I love this play. I would love to see it.

[@PicturehouseCinemas]

Hi Megan, here is the link to all shows there are encores in New York. cyranodebergerac.ntlive.com/ Good Luck!

[@nataliaandreaarce6145]

Que bonito que sos james McAvoy

[@AJ-vm6by]

heartbroken that nothing is offered near me...NT should offer pay-per-view or work out an agreement with movie theater chains like metropolitan opera did

[@cuac5869]

Where could I watch this? Sadly there are no cinemas streaming this title close to me, and it doesn't appear to show on the online catalog.

[@delirium341]

There was torrent link on reddit, don't know if it still works. But be warned, it's over 23 gb :D

[@kyliec6723]

Try at this link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXXKd4OihrmIicU

[@VANTED]

I love him i wished i could’ve seen it 🥺

[@addie_is_me]

You still can. It will be broadcast live, all over the world in movie houses on the 20th of Feb. I got tks a week ago. Go on Google, Vanted!

[@HawaiianCrow]

Addie Alexander - You’re amazing for loving this so much. I see you commenting everywhere hahah

[@coletanner5193]

There's never been a movie that's captured the feel of the original play.. it has yet to be made.. it would require a modern day love/war story.. with great actors.. the lines would need to be modernized, but the intent would make it a hit.. this is a nod to that idea what McAvoy is doing.. for those of you who are in familiar with Cyrano de Bergerac.. I believe or in my opinion the biggest aspect of it is you are entertained and intrigued by him and his friend Christian and then boom Christians dead and boom he's dead.. so it's no longer a comedy so starts comedy and ends as a drama

[@rogerpropes7129]

Next we'll do a remake of GWTW, set on a French colony on Mars in 2050; cast will include Whoopi Goldberg as Scarlett, Peter Dinklage as Rhett, and Jennifer Lawrence as Mammy. We'll sell tickets!

[@omram566]

I saw this yesterday. 6/10. It was pretty decent. Hard to wanna engage with it though.

[@user-xp9vk7uz9d]

帅的不要不要的

[@sonofmonstermagnet1645]

Pay your staff a living wage.

[@addie_is_me]

To whom is that addressed? I agree already, I just want to know.

[@sonofmonstermagnet1645]

@@addie_is_me Picturehouse cinema chain, a company that pay well below the living wage of £9.00 an hour.

[@RendezvouDoo]

Next les miserab ... Spelled wrong. Anything with passion.

[@Werewindle]

Love James McAvoy, but a big NO on this production.