Final Blood Wedding PDF

EducationResources
PreProduction
SydneyTheatreCompanyandColonialFirstStateGlobalAssetManagementpresent
BloodWedding
ByFedericoGarciaLorca
TranslatedbyIainSinclair
PREPRODUCTIONRESOURCES
PREPRODUCTIONEXERCISES
AboutSydneyTheatreCompany2
Love,Death,Fate1214
AboutSTCEd2
JackOfAllTrades1517
CreativeTeamandCast2
Themes2
Synopsis35
Historicalandsocialbackground69
AdditionalResources1011
DutyBound1821
EducationResourcewrittenbyKerreenElyHarperandcompiledbyEducationCoordinatorToniMurphy
KEY
AIMofexerciseorsection
DramaExercises
ExtensionExercises
Downloadandwatch
EnglishExercises
Playonline
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SydneyTheatreCompanyEducationResources2011
CopyrightprotectsthisEducationResource.
ExceptforpurposespermittedbytheCopyrightAct,reproductionbywhatevermeansisprohibited.
However,limitedphotocopyingforclassroomuseonlyispermittedbyeducationalinstitutions.
PREPRODUCTIONRESOURCES
ABOUTSYDNEYTHEATRECOMPANY
www.sydneytheatre.com.au/about
GROOM
ABOUTSTCED
Itsabaddayforbrides
www.sydneytheatre.com.au/stced/about
apparently
Act1
BloodWedding
CREATIVETEAM
DirectorIainSinclair
SetDesignerRufusDidwiszus
SoundDesignerSteveFrancis
Composer&ArrangerAndrewVeivers
CostumeDesignerLukeEde
GuitaristAndrewVeivers
LightingDesignerDamienCooper
CAST
TheFather/Woodcutter/DeathDannyAdcock
TheNeighbour/TheMaid/Woodcutter/DeathLynetteCurran
TheGirl/TheMoonHollyFraser
TheYoungWomanJuliaOhannessian
TheWifeZindziOkenyo
LeonardoYalinOzucelik
TheMother/TheMoonLeahPurcell
TheBrideSophieRoss
TheMotherinLaw/Woodcutter/DeathToniScanlan
TheGroomKennethSpiteri
THEMES
Love&Fidelity
FamilyRelationships
Death
Marriage
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SydneyTheatreCompanyPreProductionEducationResources2011
www.sydneytheatre.com.au/stced
SydneyTheatreCompany
Women&Society
SYNOPSIS
BloodWedding(Bodasdesangre)isastoryoflove,betrayal,andrevengethattakesplacein
anAndalusianvillage.Theplayalsoexaminesissuesconcerningtheconflictbetweenpersonal
desireandsocialandfamilyresponsibilities.
Onthedaybeforehisimpendingmarriage,aGROOMleavestoattendtohisvineyard,when
his widowed MOTHER stops him, reminding her son of his responsibilities toward his family
blood. She expresses doubt about his future wifes fidelity. Her husband and son were
murderedbytheFELIXfamilyandshefearshewillabandonherinfavourofhisnewwife.
A NEIGHBOUR drops by and they gossip about the bridetobes family and former suitor,
LEONARDOFELIX.Onrecognizingthefamilynameofherhusbandsmurderer,themotheris
outraged.TheNeighbouraskshernottojeopardizehersonshappiness.Shepromisestonot
sayaword.
LeonardosMOTHERINLAWandWIFE(cousintothebridetobe)aresingingalullabytohis
BABY SON, that tells the story of a great horse who cried out but would not drink the dark
water.
AGIRLreportstothemshehasseenamanwhosgettingmarriedbuyingwonderfulgiftsfor
hisbride.Leonardoangrilypushesherfromhishouse.Hiswifequestionshisbrutaltreatment
of the girl, asking him if there is something wrong. He dismisses her by leaving without
explanation.
The groom and his mother have traveled to meet the family of his betrothed. The FATHER
greets them both. They discuss the prospect of the marriage alliance and joint ownership of
theirrespectivelandholdings.BothparentsagreetoblesstheunionandagreeonThursdayas
theweddingday.TheBRIDEdutifullygreetsthemotherandtheydiscussthedutiesofanew
wife.ThefatherseesthegroomandmotheroutleavingtheSERVANTandBridetoopenthe
weddinggifts.TheservanttellsthebridethatLeonardohasbeenseenatnightonhishorse
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watchingher.Thebrideexpressesdoubtoverherdecisiontomarryandalthoughtheservant
tries to get her talk about her feelings she remains duty bound, declaring I have given my
word.
Thefollowingmorning,Leonardosknockingonherdoorismistakenforweddingguests.The
servant tries to get him to leave but he refuses. The guests begin to arrive and the wedding
party moves to the church. The grooms mother is angry to see the Felix family. The Brides
fatherurgeshertoshowforgiveness;remindinghertheyareallfamilynow.Formerfeelingsfor
Leonardo have been ignited and the bride is anxious and impatient and asks the groom to
nevereverletgoofme.
Leonardotakeshisagitationoutonhiswifewhoalreadyknowshisfeelingsforthebridehave
cometothefore.Determinednotbeabandonedlikehermothershesayshewillnotleavehis
sideandtheywillgotogethertothechurch.
Theyarrivebackfromthechurchandbegintheweddingreceptioncelebrations.
Themotherandfatherdiscusstheirhopeformanygrandchildren.Thebrideretirestotakeoff
her wedding wreath. Leonardos wife wishes the groom well in his marriage to her cousin.
Noticing Leonardo has disappeared she goes looking for him. The groom also looks after his
newwife,whocomplainsoftirednessandapoundinginmyhead.
The bride and groom are called to dance. The bride cannot be found anywhere. When
Leonardoswifetellsthemthatherhusbandandthebridehaverunofftogetherasearchparty
issentouttofindthem.
ThelovershavefledtotheforestwherethreeWOODCUTTERSdiscusstheiractions.Fearingthe
lightoftheMOONwillrevealthewhereaboutsofthecoupletheytoofleethescene.Themoon
seesthembutistakenoverbythedarknessofDEATH.
Moon soon reappears and offers her light to help catch the runaway couple. The groom
encountersdeathfirstlydisguisedasamemberofthesearchpartyandthenasbeautiful
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womanwhotellshimshehasseenwhereLeonardoisandurgeshimtofollowher.
Leonardo and the bride on hearing the sounds of the search party leave, declaring they can
onlybepartedbydeath.
The world transforms into a metaphoric landscape with Death and the Moon reunited as
lovers,bothcoveredinblood.
Agroupofwomenunravelaballofredthread,chantandtellstoriesaboutwhathappenedto
thegroomandLeonardoandthebride.
Themothertellsthemtobequietandtostopweepingforthedead.Thebridereappearsand
confrontsthemotheronthereasonsforheractions.Butnothingcanconsolethemotherfor
thelossofanotherson.Allthewomengrieveforthedeathsoftheirmen.
Themotherderolesandspeakstotheaudienceasherselfandtellsthemwhathappenedthat
nightintheforest.Thebridederolesandspeakstotheaudienceasherselfandtellsthestory
ofwhathappenedintheearlyhoursofthemorning.
Consider
DeathinLorcasplaysalwaysoccursinthefantastic,imaginary,poeticworldplacedoffstage.
Thepromiseofabundanceachievedthroughtheidealofthefamily,wherebloodsitsdownto
shareameal,isprovedtobefalse.
ThelinkbetweenweddinganddeathinotherplayssuchasShakespearesRomeo&Juliet,and
femalecharactersinGreektragedy,whichhavebeensubjecttoenforcedmarriageunderthe
threatofdeathHelenofTroy,CassandraandAntigone.
FortheCatholicSpanishsocietyinwhichLorcalived,deathwasanintegralpartofdailylife.
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HISTORICALANDSOCIALBACKGROUNDOFTHEPLAY
WheneverIbreakthechainofstupidity,whenever
IclimbintobedIfeelstrongerthaneverandmore
ofapoetthananyone....
LettertoSalvadorDali,1930
FedericoGarciaLorca(18991936)wasborninthetownofFuenteVaqueros,nearGranada
into a prosperous farming family. His mother was an accomplished pianist and an early
influence teaching him to play the piano and sing. The eldest of nine children Lorca was
touchedbydeathatanearlyagewiththedeathofhisyoungerbrother,FredericoLuis.
EachafternooninGranada
eachafternoon,achilddies.
Eachafternoonthewatersitsdown
andchatswithitscompanions.
GacelaoftheDeadChild
Surroundedbyaneverexpansivelandscape,thevegaofGranada,alushriverplainringedby
hills and watered by snows from the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lorca developed strong links
with the rural environment of his childhood. Spanish indigenous gypsy culture, Andalusian
folklorewithitspreferenceforthesadandtragicwouldbecamekeyfeaturesofhisearlypoetry
andsongwriting.
Broughtupinadevoutcatholichome,LorcafellalsoundertheinfluenceofCatholicmysticism
and symbolism. And although his was a privileged childhood, Lorca developed a social
conscious, often recording his observations of the rural poor, particularly women all poor
womendieofthesamething,ofgivinglivesandmorelives.Inhiswritinghedisplayedgreat
empathyforthemarginalizedandpersecutedinsocietywomen,gypsiesandbandits.
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RiderSong
Intheblackmoon
Ofbandits
Spurssing.
Blackhorse
Whereareyoutakingyourdeadrider?
Thehardspurs
stationarybandit
helostthereins.
Coldhorse.
Whatscentoftheflowerofaknife!
Intheblackmoon
bledthe
SierraMorena
Blackhorse
Thenightspurs
Itsblackflanks
diggingstars.
Coldhorse.
Whatscentoftheflowerofaknife!
Intheblackmoon
Ascream!Andhorn
overthefire.
Blackhorse
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LorcawenttostudyArts&LawattheUniversityofGranadaandMusic.Attheageoftwenty,
he went to Madrid and remained there until his death in 1936. In Madrid, away from the
constraints of family (although his father continued to financially support him) he became
devoted to writing, music and theatre. He produced theatre plays, volumes of poetry and
organizedsongandpoetryevents.
AmemberofGenraciondel27(theGenerationof27)hemetsurrealistartists,SalvadorDali
and Luis Bunuel. Genracion del 27 were a group of writers and artists who came together to
formanalliancebasedonsharedvaluesandintentions:
1. Tradition&Modernitytoseeknewpoeticforms(suchassurrealism),without
breakingwiththeliterarytraditionsofthepast(ballads)
2. AestheticIntentionfindbeautyintheimageandtorepresentrealitywithoutalossof
thepoetic(anythingthatisnotbeautifulistobeabandoned)
3. Themesgreataffairsofmenlikelove,death,fate
4. Styleexpressivelanguageoflyricism,createimagesandmetaphorsoforiginalityand
power
5. Versificationusetraditionalstanzasofsongballads,classicforms(suchasthesonnet)
andfreeverse.
HepublishedacollectionofpoemsRomanceroGitano(TheGypsyBallads)whichearnthima
great deal of fame in his lifetime. Salvador Dali accused him of not being able to give up his
classicaltraditionandtheyhadashortrift.
Lorca, despite his reputation for charm and charisma, was unsuccessful in love. The tone of
melancholythatoftenpervadeshisworkanditspreoccupationwiththemesofdeathandlove
can partly be attributed to the repressive homophobic society in which he was living. His
homosexualityisbelievedtobeoneofthereasonsforhisbrutalmurderathisbrotherinlaws
graveside,byFrancossoldiers.
In1929hewenttoNewYorkinitiallytolearnEnglish.AlthoughcriticalofAmericancapitalism
(PoetInNewYork),heenjoyedthefruitsofpreDepressionconsumerism.TakenwithAfrican
Americanculture,LorcaspenttimeinHarlemandcollaboratedwithblackartists.
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With the Wall Street crash, he returned to Spain. After years of social and political unrest
underdictatorshiprule,Spainwasdeclaredarepublic.LorcabecameinvolvedintheSecondary
OrdinaryCongressoftheFederalUnionofHispanicStudents.AtravellingtheatrecompanyLa
Barraca was set up to tour plays to educate the public. Despite being essentially a
propagandatool,Lorcaandhiscolleaguesproducedhismajordramaticwork,theruraltragic
trilogyBodasdesangre(BloodWedding)in1933,YermaandLaCasadeBernardaAlba(The
HouseofBernardaAlba).
Fascismgrewoutofpolitical,socialandeconomicunrestandtheperceivedfailureofcapitalism
withthedepressioninEurope.Fascistspromotedatotalitarian,singlepartystateandmilitary
rule.Theywereanticommunist,antiliberal,andanticapitalist.
GeneralFrancolaunchedarevolttooverthrowtheSpanishRepublicanGovernment,in1936.
Lorcas Andalucia was the first region to fall. While not a political agitator, Lorcas sister was
marriedtoGranada'sRepublicanmayor,puttinghimundersuspicionofhavingproRepublican
sympathies.Lorcawasoneofthe30,000citizensofGranadabelievedtohavediedatthehands
ofFrancosFascistledregime.Hisworkswereburnedinapublicsquare,andbanned.Lorcawas
thirtysevenyearsoldwhenhedied.Hisbodyhasneverbeenrecovered.
References
Lorca:ADreamOfaLifeLeslieStainton,1999
ThePoetinNewYorkJaimeManrique,2004
FredericoGarciaLorcaandthecultureofmalehomosexualityAngelSahuqillo,2007
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AdditionalResources
Adaptations
BloodWeddingfilmballetadaptation,directedbyCarlosSaura,1981
Part1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxKnTBtnkao
Part2http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K57M4uKZjKY&feature=related
Part3http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH8qVvgFYI
Part4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roiTNtWOw&feature=related
Part5http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s5tbz6KzE8&feature=related
SongoftheRider(CanciondeJinete)visualmontagewithvoiceovernarrationofLorcas
poem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2W2o7LtzEc
OnLorca
LincolnCenterTheaterReviewWinter,2006,Issue41aseriesofarticlesbycontemporary
artistswhohavebeeninfluencedbyLorca.AlsocontainsaletterbetweenSalvadorDaliand
Lorca.
ThePoetinNewYork,JaimeManrique
TheWhiteSpace:GarciaLorca&Music,NedSublette
http://www.lctreview.org/article.cfm?id_issue=31154133&id_article=39952224&page=1
MarriageToDeathRushRhem1996
PsycheandsymbolinthetheaterofFedericoGarciaLorca:Perlimplin,Year,BloodWedding
RupertAllen,1974
BloodWedding,YermaandTheHouseofBernardaAlba:GarciaLorcastragictrilogy,DennisA
Klein,1991
LorcaandthePoetryofDeath,PedroSalinas,1955
CharacterascontemporarysymbolinFredericoGarciaLorcasTheHouseofBernardaAlba
TimothyJuanTrujillo,2011
SurrealistPlaysbyLorca
ThePublic1930
FiveYearsPass1931
PlayWithoutATitle(1935)
Generaciondel27
InMemoriamvideohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS4NV9OXvkU
SeeGoogleImagesforphotographsofthemembers(onewithcomediansStanLaureland
OliverHardy),pamphletsandcartoons.
Portrait
http://www.superstock.com/stockphotosimages/15660201234
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SurrealistFilms
AnAndalusianDogDali&Bunuel
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2855616/un_chien_andalou_an_andalusian_dog_part_i/
LAgedOr(TheGoldenAge)LouisBunuel,1933
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHZyIx3oNZk
PoemCollectionsbyLorca
BalladoftheSleepwalker
http://www.betterthansleep.com/BalladoftheSleepwalker.html
http://www.poemhunter.com/federicogarcalorca/
PoetfromNewYork
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=677ujCxoDY
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LOVE,DEATH,FATE
AIM:Tounderstandthesocial,politicalandartisticenvironmentwithinwhichLorca
producedhismultipleandvariedworks.
AtleastfivetimesadayLorcaalludedtohisowndeath
SalvadorDali
CollectimagesofthetownsandplacesthatweresignificantinLorcaslifeanddeath
Fuentevaqueros,GranadaandAndalucia,Alfacar,NewYork,Harlem.
Research&ListentothemusicthatLorcawouldhavelistenedtoFlamencomusicof
Andalucia,AfricanAmericanGospel,Jazz.
Genraciondel27(theGenerationof27)
LorcawasamemberoftheGenraciondel27(theGenerationof27).Agroupofpoetsthat
emerged from the Spanish literary and art circles in 1927. The group associated with other
literaryartssuchasprose,theater(playsbyLorca)andnonliteraryformssuchascinema(films
byLuisBuuel),art(SalvadorDal),andmusic.
ResearchthesocialandculturalcontextofSpaininthe1920stounderstandtheriseof
Genraciondel27movement.
Genraciondel27membersincluded:
PedroSalinas,JorgeGuilln,GerardoDiego,DmasoAlonso,FedericoGarcaLorca,Rafael
Alberti,VicenteAleixandre,LuisCernuda,EmilioPradosandManuelAltolaguirre.
Chooseoneofthepoetsfromthelist.
Researchtheirlife&work.
Selectafavouritepieceofwritingbyyourchosenpoet.
Compare&ContrastyourselectedpoemwithapoembyLorca.
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WhydidtheGenraciondel27consideritimportanttoexploreotherliterarygenresandart
forms?RefertotheBackgroundNotesonKeyFeaturesofthegroup.
Defineyourunderstandingoftheterm"Generation."
Onwhatbasisdoweconsideragroupofartistsamovementor,specifically"ageneration."?
Writea9pointManifestoforGeneration11agroupofartistswhohavetocometogether
withasharedvisionforthefutureoftheartsinAustralia.Amanifestoisapublicdeclarationof
principles,intentions,andideas.
Consider
ArtForm
Beliefs
Aims
Rules
Style
Relationshiptotheaudience
Themes
Visionofthefuture
SocialValues
Attitudetothepast
LaBarraca("TheShack")
LorcareturnedtoSpainfromNewYorkwhentheSecondRepublicwasdeclaredin1931.The
newregimepromisedreformsinaneducationsystemcontrolledbytheCatholicChurch.The
levelsofilliteracywereashighas40%ofthepopulation.Indevelopingaseculareducational
systemover10,000newschoolswereopenedinthefirstyear.Artandculturespreadrapidly
throughoutthecountryandintellectualsandartistswerecalledupontoparticipateinnation
building.
OneoftheinitiativesoftheSecondRepublicwastodevelopatheatrecompanytoeducate
thepeople.LaBarraca("TheShack")wasaUniversityTheatreCompanyledbyLorcawho
wereacompanyofstudentactorswhotraveledaroundregionalSpainperforminghisplays.
ResearchLaBarraca
WatchLaBarracatravel,setupandperformascenefromoneofLorcasplays.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM9JFyPggQ
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Whatdoyounoticeabouttheactorscloths?Whyaretheydressedlikethis?
CanyouspotLorca?
Describethesetpreparation
Describetheactorspreparation.
Describethestyleoftheperformance
MOTHER
WhichLorcaplayaretheyperforming?
DesignaLaBarracaposterannouncingthecompanys
Mymenaredead,turnedto
dust.
Coveredwithweeds.
newseasonofplays,whichwillincludeBloodWedding.
Act1
BloodWedding
Drawingonyourresearchnoteswriteashortpiece
describingadayinthelifeofaLaBarracaactoron
tour.
YouareoneoftheLaBarracastudentactors.Youaregettingreadytoleaveforthenexttown
whereyouwillbeperformingLorcasnewplay,BloodWedding.
Describethejourneyandarrivalinthetown.
Whichcharacter(ormultiplecharacters)willyoubeplaying?
Howdoyouprepareforyourrole?
WhatareLorcasinstructionstotheactors?
WhatkindofdirectorisLorca?
Howdoestheaudiencerespondtotheperformance?
WhatdoesLorcawanthisaudiencetobethinkingandfeelingattheendoftheperformance?
WhatactingnotesdoesLorcagiveyouaftertheshow?
Extension
Compare&ContrastthedocumentaryfootageofLorcastroupeandthiscontemporary
homagetotheLaBaccara.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFaorFG3aY8&feature=related
Lorcainmemoriam
ThereisamemorialparkinAlfacar,GranadawhereGeneralFrancossoldiers,18thAugust
1936,executedLorca.
Writea150wordObituarycommemoratingLorcaslifeandwork.
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14
JACKOFALLTRADES
AIM:ToexploreLorcasdiversityandvirtuosityasanartistandhiswillingnesstoengagewith
multipleartforms.
LorcaJackofAllTrades
Lorcafromanearlyagewasanartisticjackofalltrades.Fromhischildhoodhewroteplays,
poetry, painted, and was an accomplished musician on piano and guitar. He was a young
artistic empresario, constantly organizing entertainments and engaging family members,
householdservants,friends,andneighborsbothasactorsandaudience.
FusionofStyles
LorcaincorporatedtheindigenousSpanishtraditionsofmusic,songandpoeticverse,puppetry
and clowning into his dramatic works. He was not afraid to experiment with bold stylistic
devicestoengagehisaudience.
InpairsBreadLorcasFarewellaloudtoAconsidermood,tone,pace,emphasis
Acloseyoureyes&listen&allowimagesandthoughtstoemerge.
Swaproles
Farewell
IfIdie,
Leavethebalconyopen.
Thelittleboyiseatingoranges.
FrommybalconyIcanseehim.
Thereaperisharvestingthewheat.
FrommybalconyIcanhearhim.
IfIdie,
Leavethebalconyopen!
Discussthesignificanceofplaceinthepoem.
Lorcadrewuponmanydifferentstylesinhisworks,oftenfusingtragedyandcomedysinging
anddancing,realismandabstraction.
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DeviseaphysicaltheatrepiecebasedontheFarewellpoem(oranotherfavouritepoemby
Lorca)
OR
Choreographadance/movementpiece
Consider
LEONARDO
Themes
KeyImages
PhysicalActions&Gesturesfalling,handgestures,
WhenIsleptmydreams
werefullofeitheryourskin
orofpoisonreeds.
Act2
BloodWedding
facialexpressions
Stylemelodrama,realism,surrealism,slapstick
(BusterKeatonwasoneofLorcasfavourite
performers),silentmovie
Mood
Character
Tableausgroupformations(harvestingthewheat),soloaction,duet
Levelshigh,medium,low
Repetition
Rhythm
Stillness
Sound&Musicaccompaniment
Vocalizingthetext
Composemusic,soundscapeorsonginspiredbythepoem.
Dramatizethepoemintoadramascenewithdialogueforthestage.
Devise&Presen tapuppetshowversionofthepoem(ORincorporateapuppetrysequence
intoyourdramatizedstagescene)
Paint,Draw,createanImageBoardonkeythemes/imagesofthepoem
Extension
Drawingonyourresearchnotesdiscusstheimpactofthesocialandpoliticalenvironmenton
Lorcaandhiscontemporariesinencouragingthemtoexplorediverseartforms.Andwhyin
1936itcametoasuddenend.
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PerformanceReflection
Listthreedifferentstylisticdevicesusedintheproduction.Howeffectivewerethey?
Reference:
APoliticsoftheBody:JosAntonioPrimodeRivera'sFascismandFedericoGarcaLorca's
BenjaminianResponse
Nolan,Lisa.ModernDrama,Volume50,Number1,Spring2007,pp.124(Article)
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DUTYBOUND
AIM:Toexaminetherepresentationofwomen,marriageandsocietyinBloodWedding
MujeresLibres(FreeWomen)
ResearchtheroleandstatusofwomeninSpainin
the1920sand1930sandtheroleoftheanarchist
BRIDE
group,MujeresLibresinpromotingtherightsof
Iknowmyduty
women.
http://struggle.ws/ws99/ws57_mujeres.html
Act1
BloodWedding
DiscusswhyLorcasplaysconsistentlyfeature
strongfemalecharacters,withreferencetoLorcas
familyrelationships,educationandartistic
influences.
Compare&Contrastthecharactersattitudesonmarriage,expectationsandbehaviourtoward
eachother.
Subtext
Subtextindramareferstotheunspoken,innerthoughtsofacharacter.
Version#1RehearseandPresentthescenebelowwithoutsubtext.
PreWedding,FirstMeeting,Act1
[TheBrideappears]
TheMother:Comehere.
Areyouhappywiththis?
TheBride:ThankyouforaskingIamyes
TheFather:hey,dontbesostiff.Shesgoingtobeyourmuminabit.
TheBride:Iamhappy.IsaidsobecauseImeantit.
TheMother:Ofcourse.
Lookatme.
[Shetakesherbythechin]
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TheFather:Shesmywifealloveragain.
TheMother:Isshe?Herfaceglows.
Doyouknowwhatitmeanstobemarriedgirl?
TheBride:Ido.
TheMother:Aman,children,andawallfourthickbetweenyouandanythingelse.
TheGroom:Whatelseisthere?
TheMother:Nothing.
Life.
Thatswhattheyneed.
Life.
TheBride:Iknowmyduty
[Apause]
TheMother:Herearesomegifts.
TheBride:Thankyou.
Version#2Repeat&Speakyourindividualcharacterssubtext.
WhentheBrideenterswhatisshethinking?
Whataretheothercharactersthinkingwhensheseesthem?
WhataretheBridesinnerthoughtswhensheseestheMother,herFatherandherfianc
waitingforher?
TheBride:[Innerthoughts].................
ThisisthefirsttimetheMotherhasseenherdaughterinlawtobe.Whatisshethinkingatthis
moment?
TheMother:Comehere.
[Innerthoughts].............
Areyouhappywiththis?
[Innerthoughts]..............
TheBride:Thankyouforasking[Innerthoughts...]Iamyes[Innerthoughts]
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Allowthecharacterstospeaktheirinnerthoughts,eveniftheyarejustobservingandnot
actuallyspeakingatthetime.
Version#3Repeat&AllowonlytheBridetospeakherinnerthoughts.
Version#4Repeat&Allowthesubtexttoeffectthescenebutwithoutspeakingyour
charactersinnerthoughts.
Consider
BodyLanguage
SpatialRelationships
Attitude
FacialExpression
Actions&Gestures
Mood
SocialExpectations&Role
Discussthedifferentversions.
Reflection
Whatattitudeswereexpressedbythecharacterswhentheywerefreetospeaktheirthoughts?
Didanythingsurpriseyouaboutaparticularcharacter?Why?
Whatdidactingoutthesubtextrevealabouthowthecharactersrepress(ordont)theirtrue
thoughtsandfeelings?
Whateffectdoesplayingthesubtexthaveonascene?
Lookfor3momentsofsubtextbeingplayedbyoneofthecharactersintheproduction.
Extension
WomenholdthethreemostseniorpositionsintheAustraliangovernment.TheAustralian
HeadofStateisherMajestyQueenElizabethII,theGovernorGeneral(Queensrepresentative)
isQuentinBryce,andthePrimeMinisterisJuliaGillard.YetthemajorityofwomeninAustralia
earnlessthanmenandholdfewerseniormanagementpositionsthantheirmalecounterparts.
DebateSomewomenaredoingverywell,butthemajorityarenot.
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DiscusstherelevanceofLorcasdepictionofmenandwomeninthe1930sasboundbytheir
socialrolesversustheirindividualneedsandwants,toacontemporaryaudiencein2011.Draw
onyourdiscussionsandresearchonthecurrentstatusofwomeninAustralia.
Howaretherelationshipsbetweenthefemalecharactersrepresentedintheproduction?
Aresomeofthecharacterstreatedmoresympatheticallythanothers,despitetheirgender?
Whichcharacterdidyoufeelmostempathyfor?Why?
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LIKEAFLOWER
AIM:ToexamineLorcasuseoflanguage,symbolandmetaphor.
Metaphor
Forametaphortoprevail,twoessentialconditionsarerequired:
formandradiusofaction;itscentralcoreandacircularperspective
surroundingit.Itsnucleusopensuplikeaflowerthatsurprises
usbecausewedontrecognizeit,butinthecircleoflight
thatsurroundsitwewillfindtheflowersnameandalso
recognizeitsperfume.
Lorca,1927
DiscussthisstatementinreferencetoyourunderstandingofLorcasuseofmetaphorinBlood
Wedding.
List5keymetaphorsintheplayandwhattheyrepresenttoyou.
Share&Discussthedifferentinterpretationsofthehiddenmeaningscontainedwithinthe
metaphors.
Symbol
Researchthedifferencebetweenametaphorandasymbol.
List5keysymbolsintheSTCproduction.
PastoralImagery&Language
Thetransitionfromtherepresentationofrealityofthefirstact,tothemetaphoricabstract
worldinthesecondactinvolvesanabruptstylisticshiftfromprosetopoetry.
Compare&Contrastthelanguageofascenefromthefirstactwiththesecond,(refertothe
scenesexcerptsprovided).
WhydoesLorcamovehisstoryfromtherealisticworldofthevillagetothepoeticandthe
fantasticforest?
Whyistheforestasafehavenforthelovers?
BLOODWEDDING

Pastoralimageryreferstoimagesfromnature.Shakespearewasanexponentofpastoral
imageryinhispoetryandplays.ThepastoralwasakeyfeatureoftraditionalSpanishsongand
verse.
List3examplesofpastoralimageryintheplay.
Lorcasuseofpastoralimageryislessthanromantic
DiscussthestatementwithreferencetoLorcastreatmentofdeathandviolenceinBlood
Wedding.
Read&DiscussthearrivaloftheMoonscene.
Consider
Metaphor
Symbol
Rhythm&Repetition
Personification
WordUsage
PastoralImagery
Forest,Act2
Woodcutter1:Herecomesthemoon.
Chopchop.
[Themoonbeginstoappear]
Woodcutter3:Themoonrises.Themoonthroughtheleaves.
Woodcutter1:Themoonthatcoatsthebloodwithajasminesheen.
Woodcutter2:ThelonelyMoon.
Themoonspikingthroughtheleaves.
Woodcutter3:Asplashofsilveronthebridesface.
Woodcutter2:Thecruelmoon.
Branches!
Blockherbeams.
Letthemhidetheirlove.
Woodcutter3:Grievingmoon.
Letthedarkbranchesconcealtheirlove.
[TheMoonappears]
Rehearse&Presentthesceneingroupsof4.
UtilizeelementstypicalofLorcasLaBaraccatheatreinyourstagingandperformancestyle.
BLOODWEDDING
SydneyTheatreCompanyPostProductionEducationResources2011

PostPerformanceReflection
Howistheshiftfromtheworldofthevillageweddingtothepoeticworldoftheforest
achievedintheproduction?
Consider
Lighting
Costume
SetDesign
ColourPalette
Staging&Choreography
ActingStyle
Sound&Music
BRIDE
Thisfirethatragesinmy
head.Mymouthismadeof
brokenglass!
BLOODWEDDING
Act2
BloodWedding
TRUETOYOURHEART
AIM:ToexamineLorcasdramatizationoftheconflictbetweenindividualandsocial
responsibility.
Lorcawasmostinterestedincreatingepicanduniversal
characterswithmoraldilemmasanddrewuponhis
knowledgeandappreciationofGreektragedyand
Shakespeare.
MOTHERGoodblood
Goodstock
Hischaractersoperateassymbolicarchetypesthe
Act1
BloodWedding
mother,thewife,theneighbour,thefather,death,the
moonetc.
Discuss
WhyisLeonardotheonlycharacterwhohasapersonalnameandalltheothercharactersare
namedbytheirsocialorsymbolicrole?
WhatisLorcasayingaboutLeonardoandhisactionsbynaminghim?
WhydoonlytheMotherandBridespeaktotheaudienceattheendoftheplay?
InBloodWeddingthereisastrictcodeofbehaviourimposedonallthecharacters.
Describethesocialrulesthecharactersareexpectedtoabideby.
Forexample,whatdoesLeonardosWifeperceiveherdutiestobe,asawife,mother,
daughterinlawandcousinoftheBride?Howdoesshemaintainthesocialrulesofhersociety?
Howsuccessfulissheinmeetinghersocialroles?
Whopaysthehighestpriceintheplayintermsofloveandloss?
Whyyouthinkthischaractersuffersmorethantheothers?
ReadthescenebetweentheWoodcutters.
Discussthethreedifferentattitudesexpressedtowardthelovers.
BLOODWEDDING

Forest,Act2
Woodcutter1:Havetheyfoundthemyet?
Woodcutter2:No
Buttheyaresearchingeverywhere.
Woodcutter1:Theywontgetfarthen.
Woodcutter2:Shh!
Woodcutter3:What?
Woodcutter2:Theyseemtobecomingdowneveryroad.
Woodcutter1:Theyllbeeasytofindwhenthemooncomesup
Woodcutter2:Theyshouldleavethemalone.
Woodcutter3:Theworldisabigplacetheresroomforeverybody.
Woodcutter1:Toolatenow.
Thekillison.
Woodcutter2:Theywererighttorunaway.Youhavetostaytruetoyourheart.
Woodcutter1:Theywerefoolingthemselvesbefore.
Theresnochanceofstoppingit.
Pumpingbloodcantbestemmed.
Woodcutter2:Poundingblood.
Woodcutter3:Bloodthatpushesyoudowntheroad.
Woodcutter2:Youcantdoanythingbutfollowit.
Woodcutter1:Andthen,justasthebloodseesthelightofdayitsswallowedupby
thethirstyearth.
Woodcutter3:Itisbettertospurtyourbloodonthegroundthanletitblacken
insideofyou.
Woodcutter1:Shh.
Quiet.
Reflection
Whatismeantbypumpingbloodcantbestemmed?
WhatdoesWoodcutter3meanItisbettertospurtyourbloodonthegroundthanletit
blackeninsideofyou?
BLOODWEDDING

RevisitthesubtextexerciseinthePreproductionResources
PostWedding,Reception,Act1
TheMother:Apennyforyourthoughts?
TheBride:Imnotthinkingaboutanything.
TheMother:Somanyblessingsinonedaycansitheavyonyourshoulders.
TheBride:Likelead.
TheMother:Shakethemoff.
Todayyoucanspreadyourwingslikeadove.
ExplorethisinteractionbetweentheMotherandtheBridethroughactingoutthesubtextof
thecharactersinnerthoughts.
Reflection
WhydoestheBridefeelthereisleadonhershoulders?
WhydoestheMothertellhertoshakeoffthosethoughts?
WhatdoesthemetaphorofleadrevealabouttheBridesinnerconflictbetweenherpersonal
desiresandthesocialobligationsimposedonhernowasamarriedwoman?
Exploretheloversdilemmaofhavingchosentofollowtheirindividualdesiresovertheirsocial
responsibilities.
Forest,Act2
TheBride:Wherecouldyoupossiblytakeme?
Leonardo:Toaplacewherethesementhatsurrounduscantfindus.Aplacewhere
Icanseeyou.
TheBride:Putmeonastagewherehonestwomencangawpatmytornwedding
dressflappinglikeabannerinthewind.
Leonardo:IfIthoughtlikeotherpeopleImightconsiderleavingyou.ButIdonot.I
mustgowhereyougoandyoumustcomewithme.
BLOODWEDDING
Reflection
Whydotheloversgototheforest?
WhydoestheBrideasktobeputonastageinfrontofotherwomen?
WhatdootherpeoplethinkoftheBride?HowisLeonardodifferentfromotherpeople?
Whyaretheloverspreparedtoriskeverythingfortheirneedtobetogether?
Extension
DebateSocialResponsibilityversusIndividualDesire
BLOODWEDDING

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