Belfast Theatre Company Takes Lorca’s ‘Yerma’ to Colombia
A Belfast theatre company is preparing to perform a “radical reimagining” of Federico García Lorca’s Yerma in Bogotá, Colombia, bringing a locally developed production to an international stage. Tinderbox Theatre Company will perform the reveal at the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata Olivella this month, following its premiere at the Belfast International Arts Festival in 2024.
International Recognition and Funding
The invitation to perform in Colombia stemmed from the Belfast International Arts Festival’s international showcase programme. Artistic director Patrick J. O’Reilly explained that delegates from around the world attended the festival. “The British Council in Colombia saw the show and in May last year we received an email saying they would love to fund us to go over and perform there for a week,” he recalls.1 O’Reilly emphasized the importance of delegate platforms in allowing local productions to gain international exposure.
A Contemporary Irish Interpretation
Tinderbox’s production of Yerma, first performed in 2024, reimagines Lorca’s 1934 tragedy within a contemporary Irish setting. The play unfolds during a chaotic christening in a family-run hotel in the Cooley Mountains. Beneath the celebratory atmosphere, the play explores the pain of Yerma’s inability to have a child and the intensifying isolation and desperation she experiences.2
Cultural Significance and Relevance
Associate director Ciaran Heggarty highlighted the significance of presenting a distinctly Irish interpretation of a Spanish classic to international audiences. “They chose the play because Lorca is Spanish,” he explains. “For them to witness a production of Yerma that’s so different from the original and want it to be showcased in a Spanish-speaking country, is a massive compliment because it’s one of their titles.” He drew a parallel to a Spanish company performing Brian Friel’s work in Ireland, acknowledging the high stakes involved.2
The themes of Yerma – marriage, motherhood, and societal expectations – remain strikingly relevant almost a century after the play was written. The British Council in Colombia expressed particular interest in exploring these themes in the context of Colombian society, specifically the stigma surrounding infertility in a predominantly Catholic country.2
Parallels Between Irish and Spanish Cultures
O’Reilly noted unexpected parallels between the Irish and Spanish settings, despite the play’s Spanish origins. “We’re highly much entrenched in Catholic tradition,” he said. “They probably saw very distinct similarities in the family dynamics and societal pressures.”
Cast and Creative Team
A cast and creative team of 10 will travel to Colombia for the international run, with the show being fully remounted. There will be “slight” changes to the cast, with three performers stepping into new roles, including Hazel Clifford in the title role of Yerma.2 O’Reilly expressed his desire for Clifford to develop her own interpretation of the character, allowing the show to evolve.
Cultural Exchange and Impact
The Colombian run will include workshops, post-show discussions, and collaborations with local artists, fostering a dialogue around the play’s themes and the impact of live performance. O’Reilly emphasized the importance of meaningful cultural exchange. For Heggarty, the invitation signifies confidence in the quality of work being produced in Belfast. “To be able to take something we created in Belfast and present it on an international stage is incredibly exciting.”
The ability to travel and evolve is what keeps classic works like Yerma alive, O’Reilly believes. “You can take a story that’s nearly a hundred years traditional, filter it through an Irish family and then take it across the world,” he says. “That’s the power of theatre.”