Interview: Actor Nima Taleghani on CYRANO DE BERGERAC

The Olivier award-winning Cyrano De Bergerac sees James McAvoy reprise his critically acclaimed role in this unmissable revival of Edmond Rostand’s masterwork, inventively and ingeniously adapted by Martin Crimp. We spoke to Nima Taleghani about the production and his role of Ligniere.

For those who may not be familiar with the story of Cyrano de Bergerac, can you give us a brief synopsis?

Without giving too much away, the story is about an outsider, Christian, who enters Paris, falls in love with Roxanne, and butts heads with her cousin, Cyrano. And then it pops OFF. It’s also about the love of language, poetry and the effect of tradition on how art can progress. And about war. Wicked story!

How does it feel to be returning to the production?

It feels very exciting to be returning, we have six amazing new cast members who are bringing so much new energy and their own skill sets which is so cool. It’s also a proper unique challenge to re-mount a show - keeping the beating heart the same but finding deeper meaning and maybe one or two new tricks!

Tell us about your character, Ligniere.

My character is a poet who speaks out against the oppression on freedom of speech. He is an old-guard rhymer Paris boy. I like him.

How are rehearsals going thus far?

Rehearsals are really joyful, our director Jamie (Lloyd) has been injecting renewed specificity into some moments so it feels like we are diving even deeper into the core and essence and meaning of a lot of sections. 

Is it nice to be taking the production across the Atlantic?

It is! I’ve grown up listening to a lot of rappers from Brooklyn, so it feels like this type of lyricism that our show has will be appreciated there in a unique way. New York has such a rich history of MC’s so it’s a special thing to be able to come and chuck our hats into the ring for a couple rounds!

Congratulations on recently becoming an Associate Artist with the Jamie Lloyd Company. Can you explain a little more about what this entails?

Thank you! It’ll entail lots of things - I’m under commission as a playwright for JLC, I’m mentoring the new spoken word Emerge young person too. The Associates will also be part of conversations with new actors, writers, designers, makers etc. that JLC could/should collaborate with. Jamie even said he’d get me to host some post show Q&A’s!

Will you be seeing the upcoming musical film adaptation of Cyrano, starring Peter Dinklage?

Haha you know what I probably won’t! I had never read/seen/heard of Cyrano before we did this version and I think I’ve got to keep it that way til it’s all done. I didn’t see the NT Live of our show either. But big up Peter Dinklage - badboy actor!

How would you encourage people to book a ticket to the show?

I’d encourage people to grab a £15 ticket at noon every Monday when they get released if they fit the criteria. There are thousands of £15 tickets are available through the run! So this type of theatre is never inaccessible to anyone. For the people, by the people🤟🏽

Cyrano de Bergerac plays in London from 3 February-12 March, before visiting Glasgow and then Brooklyn in New York. Tickets are available for the UK dates here.