The play explores themes of repression, passion, and conformity, and inspects the effects of men upon women. Bernarda's cruel tyranny over her daughters foreshadows the stifling nature of Framco's fascist regime, which was to arrive just a few weeks after Lorca finished writing his play.

After the death of her second husband, Bernarda Alba, an unpleasant and dominating woman, imposes a period of mourning on her household that is to last eight years, as has been traditional in her family. Bernarda has five daughters, aged between 20 and 39, whom she has shielded and controlled to an excessive degree and prohibited from any form of relationship. The mourning period further isolates the daughters, and tension mounts within the household.

Angustias, the eldest daughter, inherited a large sum of money from the death of her father, Bernarda's first husband, while the other four sisters inherited much less from their father, Bernarda's second husband. Angustias' wealth attracts a suitor, the young and attractive Pepe el Romano from the village. Passion and jealousy between the daughters increases, as they feel it is unfair that Angustias, the oldest and most sickly of the sisters, should receive both the majority of the money and freedom to marry, leaving the constraints of the house.

It transpires that Adela, the youngest daughter, has been conducting an illicit affair with Pepe el Romano and she becomes increasingly passionate, refusing to submit to her mother's will and arguing with her sisters, particularly Martirio, who is revealed to also be in love with Pepe.

The tension in the story comes to a head as the family confronts one another and Bernarda chases Pepe with a gun. A gunshot is heard from outside, implying that Pepe el Romano has been killed. Adela slips into another room while the family anticipates the outcome. As Martirio and Bernarda re-enter the home, Martirio states that Pepe el Romano got away with his life and Bernarda remarks that as a woman she cannot be blamed for not knowing how to aim. With Pepe el Romano dealt with, Bernarda turns her attention to calling out Adela, who has locked herself in a room. Bernarda and Poncia work at bringing down the door through force after being met with silence from Adela, and upon gaining entrance to the room, Poncia shrieks. Returning with her hands clasped about her neck, she warns the family to not enter the room--Adela has hanged herself. The closing lines of the play show Bernarda characteristically preoccupied with the family's reputation, as she calls for it to be made known that Adela died a virgin and that no one is to cry.

The Cast.

Bernarda - Bundle Weston

Maria Josefa - Libby Hotchcock

Magdalena - Sue Clatworthy

Amelia - Lisa Venning

Martirio - Nettie Hayes

Adela - Issy Homan

Maid - Tessa Bird

Poncia - Jennifer Scott-Reid

Prudencia - Barbara Hallett

Beggar Woman - Janet Hosford

First Woman Mourner - Barbara Hallett

Second Woman Mourner - Jennifer Cummings

Third Woman Mourner - Patricia Truelove

Fourth Woman Mourner - Wendy Kemp

Girl - Natascha Scott-Reid

Director - Patricia Truelove