Notes

 Synopsis

Yerma is a play by the Spanish dramatist Federico García Lorca. It was written in 1934 and first performed that same year. Lorca describes the play as "a tragic poem." The play tells the story of a childless woman living in rural Spain
 Although critics speculate that Yerma kills her husband in the end because he is a frugal, economically driven man who has no desire to have children, the play is indeterminate on this issue. She kills him at a hermitage, a religious place with the possibility of fertility. However he has already shown no desire to have children, so there is no evidence that he would have changed his mind at the festival.


Act 1 : Scene 1
"When the curtain rises, Yerma is asleep with a sewing basket at her feet. The stage is bathed in a strage dreamlike light."

Even though it is not suggested in the play directions that there is a bed. I have decided to include a bed as she is constantly 'dreaming' and hoping for a child. Also in this scene she is supposed to be asleep.

After researching Spanish homes in the 1930s I have decided I would like to have vines and flowers from the seats and all around the stage to en capture the audience into the style and setting of the play.

I would like to use the sections and walk ways for the audience as walkways for the actors. This engages the audience into the performance and makes them feel part of the experience.
I am going to there for decorate and paint these areas to match the stage and further the intent.
As you can see in this seating plan from the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester there are many walk ways  that the actors could use to surprise and engage the audience. If I were to do this professionally I would work with the director to achieve this.

As I am wanting Yermas sewing basket to be a main prop piece that is always on stage no matter where she is I would like there to be baby clothes she is making in the basket. I would like this because there are many references to her wanting a child and the sewing basket.
A1: Scene 1
" The husband leaves, and Yerma moves towards her sewing, passes her hand over her belly, raises her arms in a graceful yawn and sits down to sew. "


Act 2: Scene 1
 "The rushing stream where the village woman do their washing. The Washerwomen are ranged on various levels."
I am going to include various platforms on different levels. This is done to fill the stage entirely so that it frames the space. Each woman will be on a different level. I will use a wood like materiel to create these with cardboard and glue. I am going to use wood to add to the naturalistic style and theme I am trying to create.

The play also mentions a stream in the very beginning of act two. I do not want to create a stream as I feel that this will distract from the audiences perception of the characters and their emotions. I would work with the sound designer and lighting designer to create an audio and lighting(visual) style.

 Act 2: Scene 2

"Yerma's house. It is growing dark. Jaun is seated. The two sisters are standing."

Even though this part of the play mentions that Jaun in supposed to be seated. As we have a bed and lower platforms they could double for seating.

 As I am setting the play inside rather than outside of Yermas house. (Which is where the play is usually set in previous adaptations.) However I feel that because the play is about internal emotions and turmoil that the play should be set inside the house.
"The two sisters appear in the doorway."
I am their for creating a door way with a working door for when people enter in through to say things to Yerma. I am going to leave the back of the empty so that light can shine through the door way to suggest day and night.