Yerma at Dramaten Stockholm

Photos: Banfa Jawla

For the performance Yerma at the Royal Dramaten in Stockholm, Lisaboa Houbrechts signed on to both edit and direct. This play by the Spanish poet Lorca is about childlessness and revenge. Dramaten calls Lisaboa Houbrechts a shooting star of contemporary European theater. The role of Yerma is played by Swedish actress Nina Zanjani – known from Wallander and Agent Hamilton, among others.

Lighting designer Floriaan Ganzevoort created cinematic-looking images that literally embrace the set design by French scenographer Clémence Bezat. The circular stage she designed for the performance is surrounded on three sides by curved light objects. Acts are marked by moving these arcs. The light changes the setting from a wide landscape, more and more to an oppressive, ever-shrinking space.

Reviews

Swedish newspapers wrote raving reviews about the performance, which is described as very evocative.

Dagensnyheter wrote on 02-02-:

When the curtain opens(…), we are greeted by a strikingly beautiful opening image. To the melody of the newly written music, by Bert Cools, Stijn Cools and Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė, we see the contours of Nina Zanjani’s hands loosen and catch the rays of light shining down from high above the stage. Freed from their body, they seem to reach for the unattainable.

Surrounded by the crushing fertility of the other villagers (…) we see [Yerma] [Yerma] transform from mourner to action-driven goddess of vengeance.
In this metamorphosis, it is as if the entire theater apparatus begins to breathe with her. Clémence Bezat’s magnificent set design plays only a small part in this, the interplay of light and not least music is exceptional.

SVTNyheten wrote on 02-02-2024:

‘Yerma’ hits right in the heart. Here, unfiltered emotions are transformed into movement, rhythms, music, color and poetry.
The performance is a feast for the eyes with sensual scenography, costumes in the colors of earth and blood and a display of human primal power, something you can easily identify with.

Photos: Floriaan Ganzevoort

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Cast & Creatives