More poetry slam than sword fight, theatre director Jamie Lloyd premiered his new adaption of Cyrano de Bergerac at London's Playhouse Theatre in December 2019 for a three-month season.

National Theatre Live filmed the performance, especially for cinemas, and two screenings will take place on Thursday, November 19 at 2pm and 6pm at BMEC.

Starring stage and screen favourite, James McAvoy, Martin Crimp's new adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac tells the story of a soldier and lovelorn poet who falls for the beautiful Roxane but fears his big nose will stop him finding happiness.

Director Jamie Lloyd said this latest production aimed to look beyond some of the classic tropes associated with the play.

"There's a certain approach people expect: Cyrano is going to have a big prosthetic nose, a big hat, they're going to sword fight," Mr Lloyd said.

"Trying to banish all of that, and get to the very essence of what the play is about, is really the aim."

Mr Lloyd said there was depth to Cyrano's character that made the play still relatable today.

"Cyrano has developed this carapace of exhibitionism, aggression, wit - which clearly masks something deeply painful and lonely," he said.

"The reason the play has endured is that we all have an insecurity, something we're battling with. It's trying to understand that, rather than just delivering on the swash and buckle."

Tickets for Thursday's screening can be purchased at www.bmec.com.au for $25 adults,or $10 per person when purchased in groups of 10 tickets or more.