Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand’s immortal classic,
tells the exploits of that proud, long-nosed,
swashbuckling Gascony cadet with a
rapier wit, who is secretly in love with his cousin Roxanne. The play opens with a performance at the theatre, where Cyrano appears and evicts the lead performer whom he detests for having cast an amorous eye at his beloved. One of the spectators insults him, prompting Cyrano to challenge him to a duel. As they fight, Cyrano delivers an impromptu ballad, at which end he transfixes his foe.
Roxanne is attracted to the handsome Christian de Neuvilette and asks Cyrano to protect him from the other cadets. Cyrano obliges, even allowing the young cadet to insult him in front of the Gascons. As Christian does not have his gift at gab, Cyrano writes letters to Roxanne, purportedly signed by the former, where he pours out his own love for Roxanne which he could not reveal to her, fearful of rejection on account of his appearance. In a scene where Christian and Roxanne meet in a tryst at a balcony, Cyrano pretends to be Christian and tells her of his love. Roxanne is overwhelmed by his sincerity and eloquence: she allows herself to be kissed by Christian, thinking it was he who spoke those words. During a siege, Cyrano writes letters to Roxanne and defies danger daily to deliver them. Roxanne visits Christian at the front, claiming she has been intoxicated by Christian’s letters. In the ensuing battle, Christian is slain, and Cyrano wounded. Roxanne takes refuge in a convent, where, for many years, Cyrano faithfully visits her. One day, Cyrano arrives for the final time, having received a death wound. He reveals his secret to Roxanne, proud and witty to the end.