Written in 1933 by famous Spanish poet Federico Garc’a Lorca, “Blood Wedding,” or “Bodas de sangre,” is a tale of unrequited love, honor, tradition and passion.
Inspired by an Andalusian newspaper article, this intricately woven tale of a love triangle gone wrong features both dialogue and poetry phasing seamlessly from English to Spanish.
Josh Machamer, director of the Cal Poly’s theatre and dance department, said Lorca’s play showcases the story of a bride and groom interrupted on their wedding day by the bride’s previous lover proclaiming his feelings for her.
“The story itself is fairly simple,” he said. “Guy meets girl, girl still loves guy, they run off together, two guys kill one another – like a Spanish ‘Romeo and Juliet.'”
Machamer said that because of Lorca’s strong poetic background, the play intertwines poetry and music to the rural Spanish backdrop.
“He is a poet first,” he said. “What is apparent is Lorca trying to infuse poetry and dance from a flamenco perspective.”
The setting of the play is simple, “a stripped-down world,” as Machamer described it; a stark, almost barren stage with a projector screen in the back center. The furniture is all made of basic wood and the costumes will be monochrome, allowing actors to move through scenes, their clothing absorbing the color of the lighting.
“It’s creating a living painting,” Machamer said. “It highlights these artistic images for each scene that happens on stage that is more representational versus realistically presentational.”
Lorca was greatly influenced by roommate and friend Salvador Dali. The designer has incorporated his influence, as well as the influence of other modern Spanish artists, like Pablo Picasso, to the set.
Technical director Howard Gee said that the actors move most of the props around during scenes, and that it is all part of the style the designer wanted to add to the production.
“The costume and lighting designers complimented that style,” he said. “The lights push each scene to the specific color range they want.”
Theatre junior and stage manager Melanie Marshall said that rehearsals have been getting progressively better as the actors are able to connect with their lines.
“It’s very impressive to see people go from reading lines and then four days later they sound flawless,” she said. “They know what they are saying. The actors find more every time.”
Marshall said that the story is a familiar one that everyone will be able to relate to, but is told in a very original way.
“What do you do when you don’t end up with the person you want to be with?” she said. “It’s the idea of regretting things that could have been, and wanting to rebel against society.”
Marshall said that the simple props and costuming go along with the theme of a lack of individuality.
“It’s very cohesive and it allows for changes and mood based off the lighting,” she said. “Each scene has its own color. It is about an individual fighting against a repressive society.”
Theatre sophomore Natalie Roy plays the Bride, a leading role. She said that her character is very psychologically deep because of her ties to tradition and her urge to break away.
“It has been interesting to play,” she said. “But it’s been kind of hard. There is always the struggle to do what’s right and the struggle to do what your heart is leaning you towards.”
Roy said that along with an intense rehearsal schedule, the actors are also brushing up on their Spanish-speaking skills in order to be at one with the production.
“Some of the poetry that is involved is really difficult to wrap your mouth around,” she said. “It has been nice because we are learning about the culture and how to pronounce words, and learning about Lorca.”
Roy said that the play is not in a traditional A-B, A-B conversation format, which adds to its unique qualities.
“It has really beautiful language, she said. “It sounds beautiful. It’s probably not what a lot of people are expecting. It’s very deep and very romantic, dealing with an ex coming back into your life wanting to get together with you. I think anyone can relate to that.”
Theatre junior Redzuan plays the role of Death in the play, and through his experience has learned to see death in a new way.
“I think it’s partly a commentary on how there are bad things that can happen when you follow what you want to do,” he said. “It deals with duty and honor and what happens with passion.”
Redzuan said that everyone should come to the live production.
“People should see theater because there is something about live performances,” he said. “It is poetry and it will draw people in and hopefully stir something in them.”
“Blood Wedding,” is the second show of three as part of the theatre and dance department’s 2008-2009 Mainstage Season.
All performances will take place in the Spanos Theatre at 8 p.m. Feb. 26 to 28 and March 5 to 7. A matinee performance is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 7. Tickets are $10 to $12. For ticket information, call 756-2787.