The House of Bernarda Alba (1979)
Produced by Elizabeth Priestman
Performances: Sat 23rd – Sun 24th June 1979, Prompt Corner
Contents
Introduction
from wikipedia The play centers on the events of an Andalusian house during a period of mourning, in which the title character (age 60) wields total control over her five daughters Angustias (39 years old), Magdalena (30), Amelia (27), Martirio, (24), and Adela (20). The housekeeper (La Poncia) and Bernarda's mother (María Josefa) also live there. The deliberate exclusion of any male character from the action is highly significant as it helps to build up the high level of sexual tension that is present throughout the play. Pepe "el Romano", the love interest of Bernarda's daughters and suitor of Angustias, never actually appears on stage. The play explores themes of repression, passion, and conformity, and inspects the effects of men upon women. Bernarda's cruel tyranny over her daughters foreshadows the stifling nature of Franco's fascist regime, which was to arrive just a few weeks after Lorca finished writing his play. Lorca's association with a number of intellectuals who belonged to the Communist Party of Spain such as Rafael Alberti was to result in his assassination shortly after the outbreak of Civil War in July 1936.
Cast
- Bernada - Joan Ives-Brown
- Augustinius - Jan Sumner
- Magdelena - Trudy Ainely
- Amelia Maria Josefa - Ursula Davies
- Martirio - Jenny Turner
- Adela - Geraldine Lacey
- Poncio - Hilary Wharton
- Servant - Nichola Staniforth
- Beggar Woman - Jo Kopernik-Steckel
Crew
- Prompt - Cheryl Webb
- Lighting - Roger Taylor
- Sound - Brian Fretwell
Reviews
Some review quotes go here
Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
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See Also
References
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