The story of Cyrano de Bergerac has been told in a number of different ways since 1897, when Edmond Rostand wrote the original play, based on the real life Cyrano, who lived in France in the 17th century. It’s already a love story with a twist, but Martin Crimp’s adaptation updates it into a racy, fast-moving tale that includes love, lies, war, poetry, privilege, and lemon tarts. TADS’ version takes it even further: our Cyrano is female (why not?); it’s in modern dress; and smartphones are as important as they are for any contemporary dating couple.

Here are some rehearsal photos:

‘It was great to meet some of you last night, after a truly excellent performance. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but you managed to surprise and delight me at every twist and turn.

The set design, costume choices, music, tech – all were fantastically well done. And the cast’s outstanding, polished performances had me in tears more than once.

Having reviewed hundreds of shows, from provincial amdram to world-touring professional, TADS’s Cyrano de Bergerac definitely fell at the upper end of the quality scale.

If I’d seen that performance at the Sheffield Lyceum or Crucible Studio, it would not have looked at all out of place. Please extend my huge congratulations to everyone involved.’

Dave Doyle (Arts Editor and Chief Theatre Critic at Regional Media Ltd, 2011-19)