“We all have a part of ourselves we feel isn’t good enough – that we’re either very insecure or even angry about.”
Those were the words of actor Adrian Lester as he spoke about his debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company in its reimagining of Edmond Rostand’s 19th Century play Cyrano de Bergerac.
The Birmingham-born Hustle star portrays the titular character Cyrano – a romantic poet with crippling self-consciousness caused by his distinctive nose, which takes make-up artists 40 minutes to attach to Lester’s face.
Lester said the play was an exploration of human insecurity as well as the self-belief needed to overcome it.
“[Cyrano] has the insecurity. So to that extent, in many ways, we all have our nose,” he told BBC Midlands Today.
The story centres around Cyrano’s romantic letters written on behalf of love rival Christian de Neuvillette (Levi Brown) as he tries to charm Roxane (Susannah Fielding).
Lester added: “We still, as a modern audience, are concerned with love, justice, insecurity and how that plays out in a world where you can do your all for people and hope they will do their all for you – where honour actually matters.”
Adrian Lester stars alongside Levi Brown in Cyrano [BBC]
Brown, known for playing Dante in This Town, was born in Halesowen, Dudley, and said his own Midlands accent added authenticity to his role as Christian.
He said: “It’s like a secret superpower almost because it’s instantly grounding and instantly honest and no-nonsense.
“The attitude you get for free from the Midlands is just that – no-nonsense, get on with it, do your job.”
The play started at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon earlier this month, with its run lasting until 15 November.
Asked about his future projects, Lester said there were “ideas on tables being discussed”.
“Me coming home to film things, either behind the camera or in front of the camera, is very much in discussion,” he said.
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