14th August 2026
Beauty and the Beast Jnr
Crowthorne Musical Players, Sandhurst School
Cyrano de Bergerac
Author: Des Wilby
Information
- Date
- 15th August 2026
- Society
- Carlton Theatre Group
- Venue
- The Studio, New Wimbledon Theatre
- Type of Production
- Play
- Director
- Claire Holt
- Producer
- David Hall and Alex Wakelam
- Written By
- Edmond Rostand
It was a pleasure to have returned and visited Carlton Theatre Group for their production of Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand at the Studio, New Wimbledon Theatre. With the District Representative position currently vacant, I was asked to provide emergency cover for this performance, ensuring that NODA support for the company remained uninterrupted. It was a welcome opportunity to reconnect with the group and see their latest work from this temporary role.
Cyrano de Bergerac is a bold and demanding piece, known for its heightened language, strong characterisation and theatrical flair. It requires confident delivery, clear pacing and a company able to balance its humour and intensity. Performing it in a studio environment places the focus firmly on the actors and the text, making it a challenge for any group. From previous experience, I anticipated that CTG would meet this challenge with assurance, delivering a production that would be not only absorbing but also sharply executed and impressively cohesive.
Claire Holt provided adaptation and direction that were central to the production’s success. She selected a quality cast who worked confidently within her vision, and the use of the central platform ensured focus and clarity throughout. The pacing was tight, transitions were clean, and the staging made intelligent use of the Studio’s intimate space, with the adaptation’s modern references and twists adding freshness without compromising the story. The result was a faultless performance that maintained audience engagement from start to finish.
Congratulations once again to everyone at Carlton Theatre Group and those directly involved with this production of Cyrano de Bergerac. This was a confident, imaginative and thoroughly engaging piece of work, delivered with clarity and commitment by the entire company. It was another excellent piece of theatre and one worthy of recognition.
I wish you all the very best in your forthcoming shows.
Des Wilby
Regional Representative
NODA London District 5
© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.