Jessica, how does it feel to bring Roxanne to life in this unique, gender-flipped retelling of Cyrano? What attracted you to this role and this adaptation?

It feels special. And dream-like. Many of us have seen Cyrano done before, but to do it this way and with the amazing Virginia Gay’s words and heart, this process has been a blessing. With this retelling, it really evoked something in my being, of “why do we tell the old stories?” (Just like the play asks) and has shown me how we can challenge form in theatre. My favourite saying at the minute is “when there is no one to point the finger at, follow the thumbs” and this gender flipped version does that to the audience. It asks them to acknowledge the story, have an opinion and with that, they effortlessly play a part. Roxanne is everything I’ve ever wanted to be – she’s magnetic, sunshine and intelligent, and as a woman of colour, this feels bigger.

Roxanne is a character with a love for poetry and language. How did you prepare to portray someone so deeply attuned to words, and how do you relate to that part of her?

I think ultimately, being an actor has always lead me to tune into language, hearing the discreet differences between words, and I think Roxanne really has that ear. She reads every layer of subtext in the space, which is then really interesting (or petrifying) to play her and take that into my personal life. Preparation was really just about cluing up on the language she uses and having fun with it. A lot of her vocabulary was new for me, so I dug in and found the beauty. Finding the beauty is something that often makes me feel close to her.

In this production, the romantic dynamic is layered and filled with humour and pathos. What is it like for you to navigate Roxanne’s feelings as she falls for someone who’s not quite what they seem?

Woah, big beautiful question! (I pinkie promise I will try my hardest not to spoil for people unfamiliar with the story) I feel like it’s a huge exploration, navigating her feelings throughout the piece. I think I found during our run in Edinburgh, its important for me to layer the feelings, and split up the stages of –  falling in love with someone for who they are, then falling for how they make you better/your best self and then the not-as-it-seems part.  What Virginia’s writing has done so beautifully in this version, is highlight ‘choice’, and in Roxanne’s case, lack of choice. She hasn’t shied away from the hurt and injustice that is done to Roxanne when falling for the person of her dreams. When my dad first watched the show, he came out crying and I thought “wow, he’s just really proud of me” but he ran over and said “you were just really upset in that and you didn’t warn me, you warned me it was hot but not for the upset”.

Virginia Gay’s Cyrano has been described as a “love letter to hope and overcoming loneliness.” How does Roxanne’s journey in the story resonate with these themes, especially in her relationship with Cyrano?

That is such a gorgeous statement! I think Roxanne’s core value is hope. I think that lends itself to the way she sees Cyrano as well, she sees her through this lens that is just in constant awe. I think that what is so beautiful in their connection, is that awe is enough. Full stop. And it’s such a powerful thing because awe allows for shift and change. Also, I think the loneliness is so interesting with Roxanne, because she is a person that just naturally attracts peoples being the magnet she is. Then with that, there is a constant assumption that she could never be lonely. Stepping into Roxanne, early on I realised, there are loads of people she could do something with, but she is looking for something she can do nothing with. Suddenly these characters give her a glimpse of that and it challenges how honest she is about her view on “it’s what’s on inside that counts”.

This play brings together comedy, romance, and a fresh take on a classic. How has working with Virginia Gay and the rest of the cast shaped your performance and deepened your understanding of Roxanne?

I could write an essay on how everything Virginia Gay touches turns to gold dust. She is such an exciting, engaging talent to be in the space with, but also a friend I am grateful for. From day one, she has believed in me and my Roxanne. And most importantly, she has never stopped thinking about the communities she is doing this for, and that continues to drive us as a unit. I have truly fallen in love with this cast. In every form. I think that our love, our play, our sincerity and our care, wraps this piece in a beautiful bow and allows for them all to exist at the same time. I think you can only handle a story so moving, with such a strong heartbeat as a company. So that then approaching Roxanne, they have all allowed me to feel really safe and confident in finding her. We are all so excited to bring the amazing Joseph Evans onboard as our Yan and can’t wait to welcome him into the family! Thank you A Young(ish) Perspective and see you all at the park for Christmas!