SILENCE IN BLOOY WEDDING  
EL SILENCIO EN BODAS DE SANGRE

The world's first production of Lorca's Bodas de Sangre from an oriental perspective

About the play

Bodas de Sangre (Blood Wedding) is a play by Federico García Lorca based on a real incident that took place in Almería, Spain. The play tells the story of Leonardo, a skilled horseman and a married man, who arrives at the home of his former lover on the day of her wedding, and the two decide to elope. However, inevitably, the bridegroom and his family follow their trail. In the darkness of the night, fate and death come together to plan an irrevocable ending...

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About the production

The Silence in Blood Wedding (El silencio en Bodas de Sangre) is a collaborative creation by artists from Spain, China, and Japan. It serves as a cultural contemplation and dialogue between East and West, articulated through theatrical expression. The amalgamation of the strength and passion of flamenco with the serenity and mysticism of the East is what makes this internationally collaborative production unique. Inspired by the poetic spirit of Federico García Lorca and his masterpiece Bodas de Sangre (Blood Wedding), the performance is a theatrical, musical, and dance production planned and produced by VertebrART.

Various forms of expression, such as flamenco, acting, contemporary dance, live music, and sound, are combined in this reinterpretation of Blood Wedding  (Bodas de Sangre) directed by Hiroshi Koike, a prominent director of contemporary theatre in Japan. Koike san emphasizes his favorite aesthetic concept: Silence is everything. In Buddhist canon, the phrase is found: It is not speakable. It cannot be said. Over time and historical changes, the concept of the unspeakable has permeated the philosophy and behavior of the modern Eastern population.

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In today's world, Silence is often the norm, but it is in silence that people perceive themselves most acutely. From this perspective, Silence also becomes a source of resistance and hope. This work transcends linguistic barriers and is suitable for audiences worldwide, starting from eight years of age and above.

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Concept by Director Hiroshi Koike

The director drew inspiration from Lorca's Bodas de Sangre (Blood Wedding) to create an original text. He has chosen to minimize dialogue, narrating the story through images, sounds, and physical expressions. It is a dynamic, static, and musical piece where rhythm undulates, and the body speaks.

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The foundation of the work is grounded in the rhythms and landscapes of Japan, with integrated elements from China in this cultural amalgamation. Dancers and the guitarist contribute their voices and play with various rhythms, turning into percussionists. The director amplifies the physical capabilities of the performers, viewing the body as a universe in itself, and highlighting all its astonishing details.

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In the stage space, he creates a visual rhythm and unfolds the different phases of the work. Intense tones from both flamenco music and bodily movements will be perceived. Additionally, he combines his perception of time as a Japanese, creating spaces for drift and oscillation in this piece which is a play of time and space.

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He blends different elements and captures the dynamism arising from them. He will create a situation in which space, time, and the body interact, each with its rhythm, and all will unite in harmony.