The Teatro Español, part of Madrid's cultural, tourism and sports department, will once again stage one of Federico García Lorca's great tragedies: Yerma. Ninety-two years after its premiere at the same venue on 29 December 1934, the play will return from 30 October to 27 December in the Main Hall, featuring a new version directed by Eduardo Vasco and starring Lara Grube.
Lorca's relationship with the Teatro Español is a significant part of the theatre's history, and this revival marks an important moment for both the venue and the play. The original premiere, featuring Margarita Xirgu and directed by Cipriano de Rivas Cherif, quickly became a pivotal event in Spanish theatre.
In 1984, the Teatro Español commemorated the play's 50th anniversary with a dramatic reading that included notable actors such as Fernando Delgado, José Sacristán, Aurora Bautista, and Núria Espert.
Yerma tells the tragic story of a woman grappling with unfulfilled motherhood, portraying her desperate struggle against fate and societal conventions. Caught between duty, faith, and desire, Yerma faces the isolation of a barren woman unable to fulfil her expected role. Her hope withers with each passing season, leading to a tragic conclusion marked by heartbreak and despair.
In this new staging, Eduardo Vasco aims to recapture the tragic essence that Lorca intended for the work. The poet described it as "a body of tragedy that I have dressed in modern clothing," highlighting the piece's core intent to return to essential theatrical forms, including the tragic chorus, to tell a deeply human and relatable story for contemporary audiences.
Vasco noted that reviving Yerma at the Teatro Español serves as a tribute to the original 1934 premiere and seeks to restore the dialogue between the author, his work, and one of the key spaces in his theatrical journey.
Lara Grube will lead a cast of twelve actors in the role of Yerma, supported by a women's chorus featuring Yolanda Arestegui, Elena Rayos, Ana Veganzones, Silvia de Pé, María Isasi, Lucía Bravo, Manuela San Leandro, Cristina Salvador, and Lidia Guillem. The male roles will be portrayed by Toni Agustí and Francisco Ortiz.
The musical composition, created by Eduardo Vasco himself, plays a significant role in the production, which also features set design and props by Carolina González, costumes by Lorenzo Caprile, and lighting by Miguel Ángel Camacho.
Yerma, a co-production of Teatro Español and Amor al Teatro, will be performed in the Main Hall from 30 October to 27 December 2026, at 19:00, with an approximate duration of 80 minutes. Additionally, on 18 December, there will be an accessible performance with audio description and surtitles for deaf audiences, who are advised to purchase seats from row 5 for optimal visibility of the surtitles.
