

The House of Bernarda Alba (Cuellar-Garcia)
Nelly E. Cuellar-Garcia
What readers are saying
Readers generally appreciate the emotional depth and writing style of the play. Many consider it a classic work by Lorca, praising its captivating storyline and strong characters. While some find the overall theme quite sad, the play's literary quality shines through, leaving a lasting impact on its audience.
'Better never to lay eyes on a man, never to have seen one.
Ever since I was a child, I've been frightened: the look of men, yoking up the oxen, picking up sacks of wheat, calling to each other, their thick voices, their thick boots.
Every time I passed, fear of their hands, of their touch.
God made me weak and ugly.
It's his way of keeping them away.' So pronounces one of five unmarried daughters before her elder sister, being the richest if least attractive of the bunch, is hastily betrothed.
The youngest, burning with desire, begins a passionate, clandestine affair with her sister's suitor.
She's spied upon by a jealous sibling, with devastating consequences.
The House of Bernarda Alba, in this new version, premieres at the National Theatre, London, in March 2005.
"A riveting new adaptation… The House of Bernarda Alba is one of the strongest and most fascinating theatrical events of the season."
— The Star-Ledger (NJ)
"I am really impressed by this production and as a translator I can say that this is the best translation of Bernarda Alba I’ve ever seen or imagined… it’s just splendid. It awakens all of my professional envy."
— Christopher Maurer, Lorca scholar and translator
| Character |
|---|
| BERNARDA Age 60 |
| MARIA JOSEFA Bernarda’s mother, age 80 |
| ANGUSTIAS Bernarda’s daughter, age 39 |
| MAGDALENA Bernarda’s daughter, age 30 |
| AMELIA Bernarda’s daughter, age 27 |
| MARTIRIO Bernarda’s daughter, age 24 |
| ADELA Bernarda’s daughter, age 20 |
| A MAID age 50 |
| LA PONCIA a maid, age 60 |
| PRUDENCIA age 50 |
| A BEGGAR WOMAN and |
| LITTLE GIRL |
| WOMEN IN MOURNING |
The House Of Bernarda Alba is a American play written by Federico García Lorca and published by Dramatists Play Service in New York (1998).
Digital editions available on Amazon Kindle .
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