Federico Garcia Lorca’s last play, La Casa de Bernarda Alba, directed by Alexander Cortez – translated from the original Spanish into English as The House of Bernarda Alba by Daisy Lopez, and into Filipino as Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba by Cortez – is set to open Dulaang UP’s 44th season.
The play centers on the events inside the house of Bernarda Alba, a domineering matriarch who imposes an eight-year mourning period on her household after her second husband’s death, in accordance with her family’s religious traditions. Bernarda has five daughters in their twenties and thirties, to whom she asserts inexorable control, forbidding them from entering any romantic relationship over the course of mourning.
This period isolates the family and builds tension within the household as the daughters rival against each other on marriage, inheritance and command, reflecting religious hypocrisy and all its trappings. Morality here is but an afterthought, pushed aside by self-interest, pride, and greed.
Veteran actors Frances Makil-Ignacio and Gigi Escalante alternate as Bernarda Alba.
Other members of the cast include Stella Cañete Mendoza and Sheryl Ceasico (as Poncia), Rica Nepomuceno and Ronnie Martinez (as Maria Josefa), Liway Gabo and Opaline Santos (as Angustias), Iris Montesclaros and Gel Basa (as Magdelena), Camille Abaya and Mikaela Coruña (as Amelia), Sarina Sasaki (as Martirio), Pauline Maxine Ignacio and Mariella Laurel (as Adela), Jacqui Amper and Lei Ann Quinquilleria (as Servant), and Bea Racoma (as Prudencia).
Joining Cortez in the artistic team are Judy Ick (Dramaturgy), Gino Gonzales (Production Design), Meliton Roxas Jr. (Lights Designer), Jethro Joaquin (Sound), Katz Trangco (Music), JM Cabling (Movement), Jojit Lorenzo (Photography), and Steven Tansiongco (Graphics Designer).
The House of Bernarda Alba/Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba opens Dulaang UP’s 44th Theatre Season dubbed as “DALUHONG” and is set to run from September 6 – 29 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2F Palma Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City.
For inquiries, contact Nico Varona (0917 519 8879) or email dupmarketing@gmail.com. You may also call the Dulaang UP Office (Tel.: 926- 1349 / 981-8500 local 24-49).
