How would you perform the role of Yerma in the opening sequence so that important aspects of her character are communicated to an audience?

How would you perform the role of Yerma in the opening sequence so that important aspects of her character are communicated to an audience?

     The play opens with a dream sequence during which Yerma is asleep. As an audience however, we are witnessing her subconscious. The stage directions that Lorca depicts are of a shepherd leading a child dressed in white to stare at Yerma. Before any dialogue has been uttered Lorca feels it important to have the image of a child present. From reading the opening sequence it is obvious to grasp Yerma’s desire to have a child. I think that during the dream sequence I think it would work well (even if not stated) for Yerma to have some sort of subconscious physical connection to the world around her. For example while the shepherd and the child are staring I think that Yerma's desperation for a child could be emphasised by her lifting a hand, as if trying to reach out and touch the child and then as the clock strikes her hand could fall back to her side in time with the gong. This would represent some superior force that appears to prevent her from having a child, as if she is a pawn in the hands of God. This perhaps could reflect Lorca’s own attitudes toward life.  

     As the light changes to “the cheerfulness of a spring morning” there is a voice heard offstage singing. Yerma's waking up could be shown by some sort of attenuated movement that sees her rising in time with the singing. Then as Yerma rises to sit up she could say the line, “Juan do you hear me? Juan!” this could be said in a moderately demanding way, almost like a mother getting her child ready for school. All the while Yerma herself is tired, possibly yawning and rubbing her eyes. The conversation between Yerma and her husband Juan is very important in establishing Yerma's sense of loneliness and her desire for her husband to be something he isn’t. Most importantly it shows the difference between the two characters, and the deep-rooted difference between each characters way of thinking. This is reflected in their language. Yerma is lyrical, almost poetic, “as if you were growing backwards” and Juan is very monosyllabic with a fatalistic and authoritative tone to his voice. I think Yerma should be dressed in a vibrant colour to reflect her exuberance and her passion. This could be contrasted against an earthy, dry colour for Juan a reflection of his blandness. I also think that the lack of physical contact should be made apparent. The reason for Juan’s physical and emotional restrain is because of the Spanish workingman ethic. Which is one of “macho” duty. The one moment when “Yerma takes the initiative to embrace and kiss her husband” should be one of the most important moments in this first exchange. Because the images of the embrace are able to speak volumes more than the words used in the exchange. Yerma is the protagonist of this exchange this could be shown by her having both hands clasped around Juan’s neck with Juan on the back foot and Yerma appearing to crave more than just a warm embrace. The way to emphasis this could be to show Yerma's disappointment at Juan’s totally unloving reaction to the embrace. “I never go out” could be said with a tone of deep regret with Yerma looking to the floor making herself appear insignificant and unimportant. Lorca wants Yerma to appear sombre. As Juan leaves I think there should be a pause where Yerma continues to stare at the door through which he had left. Then slowly she could stroke her stomach and turn to walk towards her sewing basket. As she sings the poem she should focus at the needle that she is threading. She could sway from side to side and the song should be sung in a chilling way with little alteration to the tone of her voice. This chilliness could then reflect the cold imagery that Lorca has Yerma sing, “ice at the mountains crest.” The pace of the song could quicken when Yerma sings the lines, “let the trees lift their branches up to the sun” but not too much that the pace detracts from the mood of the song. During the close of this song when Yerma says, “when, my child, are you going to come?” I think should be said in a desperate way that echoes into the pause Lorca asks for.