Media Release: Wednesday 24th March 2010
Hot Blooded Spanish Theatre Stampedes the Tapac Stage!
Phundmi Productions and TAPAC Theatre present
THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA
Written by Federico Garcia Lorca. Directed by Margaret-Mary Hollins
One of the most celebrated European dramas of the 20th century features a stunning female cast featuring of New
Zealand’s front-runners of the stage and screen. TAPAC houses a rousing performance of Federico Garcia Lorca’s
compelling play, The House of Bernarda Alba from June 10th 2010.
A deeply coded political photograph of a state in civil unrest, the formidable matriarch Bernarda Alba rules over a
house in mourning with an iron fist, but cannot stop her five precious daughters from running into the lion’s jaws.
Following the gangland execution of her husband, Bernarda will do anything to safeguard her family’s dubious fortune and
the future of her daughters. Five headstrong daughters cooped up in the family home in an emotionally charged atmosphere
of bitter rivalry and repressed sexuality make that an epic challenge. Bernarda's cruel tyranny over her daughters
foreshadows the stifling nature of Franco's fascist regime.
Finished by Lorca shortly before he was executed in Spain for his left-wing politics, The House Of Bernarda Alba
connects deeply with one of Aotearoa's most famed and intrinsic attributes: as a sensitive and steadfast defender of
human rights and political justice. A punch packed with poise and elegance, it will wake you up to the world around you
- filled with a resounding image of repression, and moving with dramatic pace. Bottled emotions of jealousy, love,
laughter and tragedy are set in a cage in which the daughters struggle to be free of before their bones are crushed from
Bernarda’s fierce containment.
Ready and eager to reach you, Phundmi was created in 1996 ago by Nisha Madhan and Liesha Ward Knox, each with their own
personalized stamps held high and ready to make their mark on the acting and theatre worlds. After attaining their
degree from Unitec’s School of Performing and Screen Arts, they produced “Shakespeare Unbar’d” which played to sell out
audience at Auckland’s Irish pub The Dog’s Bollix.
Critically acclaimed Director Margaret-Mary Hollins has built a reputation on theatrically adventurous and visually
inventive work and her signature on this work will be unmistakable. Directing a core cast of nine divine, hot blooded
exemplary actresses (Ward Knox, Madhan, Michelle Hine, Yvette Parsons, Sylvia Rands, Sarah Gallagher, Cyan Yasmine
Corwine, Tania Anderson, Jodie Hillock) and supported by a chorus of 20 promising young actors from the Western Springs
Community, The House Of Bernarda Alba is a play that challenges the throne of authority and demands accountability for
its actions.
The House Of Bernarda Alba plays
10th – 19th June 2010, 7pm (Saturday 8pm, Sunday at 7pm).
Matinee performance at 2pm on Saturday 19th June
TAPAC, 100 Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland
Bookings through TAPAC – 09 845 0295 ext. 1 or robin@tapac.org.nz
ENDS