The Almeida Theatre in Islington, an equidistant ten-minute stroll from Angel and Highbury and Islington tube stations, is a gem amidst the buzz of this vibrant North London area. The interior design reflects a modern twist on an almost Victorian style gallery, with a sharp vertically rising seating arrangement, and an ample stage that invites the audience in most intimately.
Gracing the stage until mid-March is Federico Garcia Lorca’s chilling tale, ‘The House of Bernarda Alba’, revamped somewhat by Emily Mann. Subtitled by the original playwright as ‘a drama of women in the villages of Spain’, the play centres on the events of a house in Andalusia during a period of mourning, in which the protagonist wields tyrannical control over her five daughters. The plot is driven by the effective use of an unseen character, a local bachelor, Parvis Romany, who seeks out the eldest daughter for her wealth, but the youngest daughter for her beauty. What follows is a dramatic crescendo towards a shocking denouement, laced with themes of lust, jealousy, rebellion and sibling rivalry.
The undoubted star of the show is Oscar-nominated Iranian-born Shohreh Aghdashloo, who shines as the eponymous Bernarda, depicting a winning combination of pride and venom that engages and repels the viewer in equal measure. Standing strongly opposite her is the wonderful Jane Bertish as servant Darya, who delivers a commanding performance of great integrity. For the briefest of comedic interjections, Jasmina Daniel’s portrayal of the elderly mother Amina is also worthy of note.
Bunny Christie’s set is flawless, making efficacious use of the Almeida’s stage to transport the audience back to rural 1930s Spain. My one pernickety observation of Mann’s modernisation is that Bernarda is the only character to speak with an authentic Spanish accent, which, against the others chattering in a Queen’s English, seems slightly illogical.
At £9 a ticket for good circle seats, this is most certainly a bargain to be exploited. Disclaimer: you may leave the building feeling marginally disturbed, but nonetheless moved. ‘The House of Bernarda Alba’ plays at the Almeida Theatre until 10th March.
Written by a Thoroughly Modern Man, Mark McCloskey.