Adrian Lester left This Morning hosts Andi Peters and Rochelle Humes floored with his unrecognisable new role during Tuesday's show.
The actor, 57, best known for Trigger Point, Hustle, Riviera, The Undeclared War and Ponies, is taking on his 'most demanding role to date' as Cyrano in the West End transfer of Cyrano de Bergerac.
Prosthetic nose revelation
Clips and photos of the production showed Adrian wearing an elaborate prosthetic nose, prompting Rochelle to gasp: "Gosh!" Andi pointed out: "First thing's first, the nose is a prosthetic nose" to which a laughing Adrian confirmed: "Yes, it's a prosthetic nose!"
Rochelle added: "You look so different, it's mad isn't it, your nose really changes you! Who knew?" With Adrian laughing: "It really does! Thank God I do need a nose to play the part!"
Demanding stage role
Adrian explained the character: "But it's a famous play about his insecurity. In this one character, you've got this bravura. He's a poet. He's a philosopher. He's an amazing fighter. He's full of confidence on the battlefield. But in front of the woman he loves, he simply can't tell her that he loves her. Because he's too scared of what her reaction will be to his love."
Rochelle noted: "For you though, it's a demanding role because you're on stage the whole time. The entire show." Adrian confirmed: "Pretty much!" When asked if it's his most demanding role to date, he admitted: "Yeah, it's up there. There's three that have been really demanding. One was Hamlet, then Company and now this, where you're just not off stage."
Show details
The run lasts two and a half hours with an interval, and Adrian is off stage for only about seven or eight minutes. Andi was left floored, responding: "That's it? Wow!"
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITVX.
