Sydney review- Yerma: compelling and gripping tale

By Paul Kiely

Yerma

By Federico Garcia Lorca

Directed by Barry Ni

A Genesian Theatre Company Production

2B Gordon Street, Rozelle

Season: 23 October – 14 November 2026   

Bookings: http://www.genesiantheatre.com.au

Duration: 90 minutes approx (plus interval)

Love, loneliness and lust. The trifecta for a good story!

When fused into a tragedy, you have a compelling and gripping tale which will stretch your heartstrings.

Yerma, by Federico Garcia Lorca, is a classic drama set in rural Spain during the 1930’s. It is a poignant story of newly married Yerma, devoted wife of Juan, desperate to please him and hopefully raise their children in a parochial village just like thousands of couples before them.

There is just one problem…

No matter how much Yerma shows her love to Juan, her attention is not reciprocated. Months of trying turn into years; other brides become mothers quickly whilst Yerma becomes conspicuous as the one without children.

Her friend Maria doesn’t help matters when she boasts of how easily she conceived, “All I did was lie on my back and sing.”

Juan is a good provider. He is a hard worker as he tends his sheep and works the land. But he is a lousy lover and cruelly rejects any advances from Yerma.

Initially self-blaming for her plight, Yerma over time develops envy of the other towns women and her frustration turns to antagonism of Juan’s lack of romance.

An opportunity for love from an old acquaintance Victor is missed as Yerma puts her loyalty to Juan ahead of her maternal desires.

Other pressures come from some old ladies in town who encourage her to throw caution to the wind and pursue whatever happiness she can find.

Ultimately, Yerma’s resolve to have a baby consumes her perception of reality. In a surprise conclusion, a resolution emerges which will rattle the townsfolk and audience alike.

Yerma is a play of its times.

Federico Lorca explores themes of loneliness, honour, virtue, hopelessness and entrapment. It is a commentary on the powerful traditions of family life and religion in rural Spain of 100 years ago. Yet, through his characters of Delores and the Woman with Nine Sons, a balanced view is put forward which underlies the context.

Credit to Director Barry Nielsen who has kept true to Lorca’s original play. He has not adapted Yerma to reflect modern day standards for free thought and the pursuit of happiness by any means.

Production and cast were excellent. The set was colourful and simple, showing Spanish themes. A poster of a Bullfighter and Bull was an apt metaphor for the constant tussle between Yerma and Juan. Rural folk songs and chirping bird sounds created a calming atmosphere.

Costumes seemed notably black and white, another clue that the plays issues had no room for grey.

The Genesian ensemble was terrific.

Norah Masige played a convincing Yerma and conveyed her characters hopelessness with dignity. Michael Sebastian as the loveless but stern Juan was excellent. As was Billy Allagiannis as Victor.

Supporting cast were all on cue and gave impassioned performances.

The Genesian Theatre Company’s production of Yerma is highly recommended. A story with feeling, twists and mental health issues as relevant today as one hundred years ago.

As character Juan stated: “To live in peace it is necessary to be at peace.”