The House of Bernarda Alba

The House of Bernarda Alba is a classic by Spanish playwright Federico García Lorca. Written in June 1936 at the peak of the Spanish Civil War, it was the final play written by Lorca before he was assassinated two months later, in August 1936, by the fascist regime headed by the dictator Francisco Franco.

The play narrates the story of a household headed by the matriarch Bernarda Alba, a declared hater of men who has managed her household and family wealth efficiently for years. She has protected her home from all external influences to the extent that her five daughters are held virtually hostage within the four walls of the house. Facing absolute suppression of all forms of natural expression, dissent eventually creeps into the family. Presented in the garb of a story of sexual oppression, love, and betrayal, the narrative serves as a direct reference to an oppressive state silencing the voices of its citizens while posing its actions as necessary and crafted for their own welfare. The play contains all the elements of high drama—including comedy, sexual betrayal, violence, and cathartic moments—that have held audiences captivated over generations.

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