This autumn the National Theatre of Scotland presents a major new version of Federico Garcia Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh. Set in contemporary Scotland, Rona Munro’s edgy translation is directed by John Tiffany and features Siobhan Redmond in the title role.
Following the gangland execution of her husband, the formidable matriarch Bernarda Alba will do anything to safeguard her family’s fortune and the future of her five daughters. A deal is struck - a marriage of convenience between her eldest girl and the son of a business rival. All Bernarda has to do is ensure that the wedding happens, and quickly. Five headstrong daughters cooped up in the family home in an emotionally charged atmosphere of rivalry and repressed sexuality make that an epic challenge.
One of the most celebrated European dramas of the 20th century, the play was finished by Lorca shortly before he was executed in Spain for his left-wing politics. He described it as a “drama of women in the villages of Spain” – a theme that is transposed in this version to the tough communities of Glasgow’s East End.
The full cast is Jo Freer, Vanessa Johnson, Anne Lacey, Louise Ludgate, Heather Nimmo, Julie Wilson Nimmo, Myra McFadyen, Mary McCusker, Una McLean, Carmen Pieraccini, Siobhan Redmond and Morag Stark.
NOTES TO EDITORS
THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA
By Federico García Lorca
in a new version by Rona Munro
Directed by John Tiffany
Designed by Laura Hopkins
Lighting Designed by Natasha Chivers
Sound Designed by Paul Arditti
Rona Munro is one of Scotland’s leading writers. Her new play The Last Witch will premiere at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival. Her other plays include The Indian Boy (Royal Shakespeare Company), Watership Down (Lyric Hammersmith)
John Tiffany, Associate Director: New Work at the National Theatre of Scotland is directing. He recently won an Olivier Award for Best Director for Black Watch, which won a total of four awards at this year’s awards ceremony.
This is Siobhan Redmond’s second role with the National Theatre of Scotland. Previously Siobhan played Queen Elizabeth I in Mary Stuart. Siobhan has appeared in a number of television programmes including The Catherine Tate Show, The Smoking Room, Between the Lines and Sea of Souls.
Louise Ludgate has appeared in four productions for the National Theatre of Scotland, Little Otik, Project Macbeth, Realism and Home.
Jo Freer was recently on stage in the National Theatre of Scotland’s Our Teacher’s A Troll and Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off. Other stage credits include Mary Massacre for Random Accomplice, Liar at the Citizens Theatre and Trumpets and Raspberries at the Royal Lyceum Theatre.
Julie Wilson Nimmo is well known for playing Miss Hoolie in the BBC television series Balamory. Other television credits include Rab C Nesbitt and Chewin’ The Fat. Last year Julie appeared in 365, The National Theatre of Scotland’s 2008 Edinburgh International Festival co-production. Also for the National Theatre of Scotland Julie has appeared in Tutti Frutti.
Myra McFadyn’s recent theatre credits include Interiors for Vanishing Point and Eating Beauty for the Tron Theatre. Previously Myra has also appeared in Elizabeth Gordon Quinn and Home both for the National Theatre of Scotland. On television Myra has appeared in the BBC’s Monarch of The Glen and Jonathan Creek. Myra also played Elana in the movie Mamma Mia.
Heather Nimmo made her professional theatre debut last year in Sunset Song at Her Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen.
Anne Lacey has worked in Scottish theatre for a number of years. Her most recent productions include Gods Are Fallen and All Safety Gone at Óran Mor, and The Pearl Fisher at the Traverse Theatre. Her film work includes playing the Ministery Witch in Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire.
Mary McCusker has had an extensive theatre career with recent highlights including Sleeping Beauty for the Lyceum Theatre and The People Next Door for Traverse Productions New York.
Una McLean was most recently in Six Acts of Love at the Tron and has previously worked with the National Theatre of Scotland when she appeared in Six Characters In Search Of An Author, a co-production with the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. Television work includes playing Pam in Still Game for BBC Television and later this year she will appear in Alan Cumming’s documentary Brilliant Britain.
Carmen Pieraccini recently appeared in Peer Gynt, a National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep co-production. Other productions for the National Theatre of Scotland include Nobody Will Ever Forgive Us and Falling. Carmen is well known to television audiences for her role as Kelly Marie in River City and Tina in Dear Green Place.
LISTINGS
King’s Theatre
Tue 3 – Sat 7 November
7.30pm / Wed & Sat 2.30pm
Captioned Performance:
Post Show Talk: Thu 5 November
Audio Described & BSL Performance:
Tickets: £12.50 - £25.00
Box Office: 0131 529 6000
www.kingstheatre.org.uk
PRESS NIGHT: Tuesday 3 November, 7.30pm
Touring to the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow (15 September to 3 October), Dundee Rep Theatre (6 to 10 October), the Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline (15 to 17 October) and the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh (3 to 7 November).
NOTES TO EDITORS
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND
The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.
Since its launch in February 2006, the National Theatre of Scotland has been involved in creating 74 productions in 101 different locations. With no building of its own, the Company takes theatre all over Scotland and beyond, working with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. It takes place in the great buildings of Scotland, but also in site-specific locations, airports and tower blocks, community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests. The company has performed to over 406,000 people, across three continents.
National Theatre of Scotland Learn opens up great theatre experiences to as many people as possible across Scotland. Since the launch of the National Theatre of Scotland in February 2006, National Theatre of Scotland Learn has created many educational and outreach theatre projects, involving over 74,000 participants and audience members, has connected with over 3000 workshops and worked with over 85 schools in 26 Scottish local authority areas.
