Watching Yerma, presented by the Genesian Theatre Company and skilfully directed by Barry Nielsen, is like opening a classic Spanish novel set in an Andalucian village; one that draws you in and keeps you turning the pages until the very end. The story takes the audience through a series of twists and turns before reaching a shocking conclusion that I certainly didn’t see coming.
Fourteen characters gradually emerge through Lorca’s poetic prose, against a warmly lit setting reminiscent of southern Spain. Together, they introduce us to a rural community populated by distinctive individuals striving to fulfil the expectations placed upon them in the 1930s.
Lorca’s female characters vividly portray the traditional roles expected of women: to bear children, care for the home and support their hardworking husbands. The men, too, largely accept the roles society has prescribed for them.
Yerma, played by the mesmerising Norah Masige, is beautiful, sociable and free-spirited. Yet she struggles with the boundaries imposed upon women of her era.
For Yerma, happiness and fulfilment in her remote village seem possible only through motherhood. Her yearning for a child gradually becomes the driving force of her life.
Yerma’s husband, Juan, convincingly portrayed by Michael Sebastian, is a handsome, hardworking farmer with little time left each day for his wife. Sebastian delivers a compelling performance, capturing Juan’s commitment to rural life and his acceptance of its traditional expectations.
He imposes harsh restrictions on where Yerma may go and whom she may speak to. Masige, meanwhile, masterfully draws us into Yerma’s increasingly desperate longing for a child, using Lorca’s poetic, almost song-like language to convey her growing loneliness and obsession.
Every member of this talented ensemble contributes to the telling of this engaging story, helping to chart Yerma’s gradual descent into desperation. Sandra Bass plays Dolores, with Celeste Anchique as her daughter, while Jennifer Cutler portrays Dolores’ assistant. Jenny Jacobs brings wisdom to the role of the Woman with Nine Sons, and Monique Pueblos is lovely as Maria.
The Washer Women, played by Tayra Araujo, Danielle Stein, Angie P and Jennifer Cutler, return throughout the play to reinforce the expectations placed upon wives and mothers in this Spanish village. Their dual roles also highlight the many responsibilities women are expected to shoulder.
The Villagers, Binh Doan, Alex Castello and Brendan Layton, appear throughout, bringing character and humour to the community through their delivery of Lorca’s poetic dialogue.
Bill Allegiannis, as Victor, convincingly portrays a charismatic young man whose friendship with Yerma adds another intriguing dimension to the story. His presence leaves us wondering whether he might offer Yerma a path towards the motherhood she so desperately desires.
Like the final page of a brilliantly written novel, the conclusion delivers a shocking surprise, one that left me reeling.
Yerma is presented by Genesian Theatre Company and runs to 14 November at 2B Gordon Street Rozelle NSW 2039.
Tickets: https://genesian.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/156448
Website: https://genesiantheatre.com.au/events/yerma/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/genesiantheatre/
Images supplied.
Leave a Reply