Cyrano de Bergerac premieres in Paris

Background. Edmond Rostand, a French poet and dramatist associated with neo-romanticism, wrote Cyrano de Bergerac in 1897. His romantic plays contrasted with the naturalistic theatre popular during the late nineteenth century. The play includes elements of the life of the 17th-century novelist and playwright Cyrano de Bergerac, along with elements of invention and myth.

Premiere. The premiere took place at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin in Paris in December 1897. Supplied passages disagree on the day: one states that on 27 December 1897 the curtain rose at the theatre and the audience was pleasantly surprised, while another gives the production date as 28 December 1897. The production was a triumph, with Benoît-Constant Coquelin in the title role.

Cast. The original Cyrano was Constant Coquelin, who played the role over 410 times at the theatre. The play's character Cyrano's large nose is based on reality but is usually exaggerated in performance. The production involved specific logistical details, including costumes made to measure and sets painted by Dubosq.