Audience Feedback on Blood Wedding/Bodas de Sangre Reviews: 45 Average Rating: 4.55 30-Jan-2017 Rated : 4 Wonderful introduction to Lorca 21-Dec-2016 Rated : 4 Fabulous production utilising live musicians and singers in the cast which helped convey the Spanish peasant spirit beautifully. An energetic first act with a whirl of activity around the wedding followed by a strangely surreal symbolist Second Act which tries hard to continue the drama but somehow feels like a different play/opera. This is Lorca's fault of course- a broken back play that fails to show us the play out of drama on stage between the men etc.only learnt 2nd hand from soothsayer/witch. Very strong dignified performance from Groom's Mother, Mary Conlon holding the entire show together. Great new space. Need more toilets/mens latrine upstairs to cope with audience demand. Delighted to see this show at last. 18-Dec-2016 Rated : 4 An atmospheric adaptation of this powerful play.well acted & a warm welcome to this new & comfortable theatre. We really enjoyed this production. 18-Dec-2016 Rated : 4 Gorgeous! How very well acted by the players this was. This was my first foray into Lorca and I wasn't disappointed. Every single member of the cast played their role to an excellent standard. The theatre itself was comfortable & the staff were welcoming. I'd definitely go again. 18-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 This was a joy to see with so many talented actors in a superb production of this Federico Garcia Lorca jewel. We were so lucky to catch the final performance of Bodas de Sangre in english. A
combination of Spanish and English actors formed the cast with a experienced Spanish director who managed to capture the magic of Lorca at his best. I was very impressed with this new theatre in the heart of Southwalk. A fantastic new space that I will definitely return to watch more upcoming shows. Attentive and wellcoming staff too! 18-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 This was a fantastic production which kept the audience engaged every minute. The drama was enhanced by the music and dancing and the action kept going all the time. It was a wonderful evening and a pity we saw it on the last night as Id have gone back with my daughter. 17-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 Really well acted...enjoyed it. 12-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 I enjoyed every second. I had read the original text but I had never seen it acted, and it didn't disappoint. The most significant outcome for me is that I now know that there exists a company that brings Spanish theatre to the London audiences, with performances both in Spanish and English. I'm so looking forward to the next! 12-Dec-2016 Rated : 4 We enjoyed the play and the cast was really convincing in the portrayal of the Spanish characters with a very basic set made of a few chairs and a table. I felt sorry for those actors who had to go up and down the stairs in a hurried fashion all evening, felt out of breath for them! The theatre is tucked at the end of a courtyard and even though I live locally, I was even not aware of its existence. Very small venue with welcoming staff at the door and bar. Wish they'd had sangria at the bar! 12-Dec-2016 Rated : 4 Powerful show which was very well acted! Great new venue. Bar could do with more chairs/seating to entice people to linger around the area. The space is great, feels new and nicely done. Staff is very friendly. I bet cast is very fit, having to go up and down a considerable staircase many times during show. The play: stage is simple, nice and effective, not to mention environment friendly. The cast is dedicated and full of energy. But unfortunately there is something missing with the plot. Alltogether an enjoyable eve. 11-Dec-2016 Rated : 3
This theatre could become quite a gem and Blood Wedding is a very good play in two halves. It truly captures the sentiments though probably better in Spanish than English. A fantastic play, I'd recommend everyone to and see it. The theatre space is unusual, all the staff and actors were so lovely and passionate. Absolutely brilliant... well acted by the whole cast. One can feel that every performer is giving everything and showing that everyone is deep into his/her respective parts. A must see! Also, Cervantes has the most comfortable seatings of all the smaller venue we have been to. Full marks. Great cast in an energetic production at this new venue 1 min from Southwark Tube. Lovely new venue - only thing lacking were a few more chairs in the bar area. Such a wonderful performance so strange and atmospheric. I would love to see this again and take it all in 10-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 I loved the production. The strong performance by the groom's mother really stood out. Very natural and believable. Great use of song and simple but very effective set changes. I really liked the venue and would definitely like to see more productions there. 10-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 An extremely well paced production in an intimate setting (the sets were economical but quite effective). A pity there appear to be no programme (and the leaflets merely list the names of actors; the excellent lead actors certainly deserved credits. 10-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 Amazing performances. I cannot recommend this performance highly enough. I will go again if I get the chance. 9-Dec-2016 Rated : 5
I am a big fan of Federico Garcia Lorca so it's very difficult for me to give an unbiased review. I loved every minute of this performance. It was a little slow to get started but the second act was just fantastic a feast of Lorca's poetry. I particularly enjoyed the white faced moon's performance, and the mother of the bridegroom. The Cervantes Theater is London's first Spanish theater company aiming to perform Spanish and South American classics in both English and Spanish and I for one am very much looking forward to next years productions. 8-Dec-2016 Rated : 3 Blood Wedding was an interestingly intense tale, albeit one with a largely predictable ending. However, it built up an evocative atmosphere and explored the changing nature of relationships and strong emotions. It was occasionally let down, though, by stilted dialogue or poor delivery of lines. The venue was excellent, in an increasingly vibrant area of town, and the premises have clearly been refurbished to a high standard. (It is much more pleasant than many other fringe theatres under arches.) Overall I enjoyed the play and would be happy visiting the Cervantes Theatre again 8-Dec-2016 Rated : 4 Well worth seeing - great acting, compelling story, and a lovely new theatre. 5-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 We went to the newly opened Cervantes Theatre to see Blood Wedding by Lorca which we thoroughly enjoyed the play. From the moment you go through the doors you feel the attraction to this unique space and it gets better as you are greeted by very warm and helpful people that make you feel at home. The space where the play takes place is very intimate and cosy. The scenery for Lorca's tragedy is very well laid out, paying close attention to costumes and the landscape in the second part. Also the lighting and sounds contribute greatly to the production. I especially enjoyed the singing, all the singers have angelical voices, perfect for the play. 4-Dec-2016 Rated : 3 I can see they put a lot of effort in the show and I do appreciate that. The actress plays the mum is good and there are some moment she does catch my breath. However, the rest of the cast is not really up to the standard... Saying that I really like Act 2's opening. The woman who is in whole white her performance is strong and powerful. All in all, if it is a strong cast, it will push the whole show to a better level. 4-Dec-2016 Rated : 4 I went to see this play "cold" and felt maybe I should have found out more before attending. Even though I can't say I entirely understood what Lorca was trying to get at, I still enjoyed it - especially the second half which is full of symbolism. The play leaves you with a lot to think about. I loved the Cervantes (new venue for me). Nice auditorium with comfortable seats
The performance really gripped one 4-Dec-2016 Rated : 2 A nicely laid out venue with welcoming staff, some of whom double up as bar staff and cast members. While some of the poetry of Lorca's language does come through in the play it does lack atmosphere. Sight lines could be improved by the simple step of moving where the actors stand, and the first half does seem to end in mid-sentence. Stunning production of Lorca's masterpiece. A brilliant performance, nuanced but ruthless from the mother. Wonderful choreography: the wedding celebrations were wild and at the same time tightly controlled by the director. Astonishing energy all round. This new theatre, set up to showcase Spanish plays, has a pristine decor of Spanish reds and yellows: worth going just to check out the venue! Can't wait for their next production. 4-Dec-2016 Rated : 4 A new Spanish theatre in London showcasing Spanish and Latin American plays making the plays accessible to an English speaking audience as well as Spanish speaking is very exciting. The location and new theatre are lovely, I hope they go from strength to strength. I liked the production of Blood Wedding in English very much, the interpretation, acting and direction were superb. My only criticism would be that they auditorium lighting needs sorting out, lighting the stage and not the audience too. Blood Wedding at the new Cervantes Theatre in Southwark is brilliant. The venue itself is thoughtfully and sensitively designed. The staff are extremely welcoming with a large bowl of roses at the desk. The performance was full of vivacity, tragedy, music, dance, poetry and life as well as being loyal to the text. The theatre was full despite it being a very chilly matinee performance. I have never seen the play before but had always intended to so I was very grateful to have got seats. It is, of course, the story of life with all its intensity of tradition, violence, 'honour' and the sacrifice of young life and passion. The acting was of a very high standard and the audience was, I felt, swept away by the total authenticity and professionalism of the entire performance. 4-Dec-2016 Rated : 4 This is a very interesting new venue - small but friendly and it has a very pleasant atmosphere. However, it is serious about its job. This production of Blood Wedding was a serious effort. Mary Conlon as the Mother was extremly good and carried the show. The other members of the cast seemed rather callow in comparison and the fact that English is clearly a second language to some of
the cast made some parts rather clunky. Howver, it was a well directed piece and the group scenes were wll managed. The music did not quite hit the target. However, worth going to see and it looks like this venue will be a worthwhile addition to the circuit. This play was amazing. We were captivated from the start and the final scene was powerful. excellent performance in a wonderful new and intimate theatre space 4-Dec-2016 Rated : 4 Blood Wedding was powerfully acted with an outstanding cast, both in the main and support roles. The mother in the English version of the play was really brilliantly acted. The singing was also well placed. The theatre has excellent facilities and the staff were very friendly. Perhaps having more than two toilets might help cut the queuing during the intermission. Overall a 4 star experience! Excellent colourful and passionate rendition; a caring director's touch evident in this story by Lorca whose poetic lyricism and awareness of the passion and beauty mixed with the challenge of tradition and culture and claustrophobic convention in contrast to passionate hearts..the Mother unable to forgive the past is a riveting presence and grounds the passion scenic storm about her..the sparkling slow descent of the Moon gave another worldly element with a Derek Jarman's young Tilda Swinton like actress alighting the stage..the wedding feast with energy and the pallets first a floor then the base of an altar in the final scene..the conflicted bride the husband and El Novio are all well embodied in the complexity of their relationship..the theatre is such a clean clear modern space created beneath the railway arches of trains passing overhead the charming welcome from lovely staff welcoming bar..cannot wait to return and to see future Lorca plays there..(caro) I saw the English version and it was an excellent production of a grim tale - the mother was particularly good. The second half has quite a lot of symbolism and metaphor mixed into the unfolding story and seemed a little fragmented to me, but over all a thoroughly engrossing production. I am tempted to go and see the Spanish version even though I don't speak the language! What a show. Fantastic production of 'Blood Wedding'. Exciting, vivid, enthralling acting. Great movement, setting and lighting. The Mother, the bride, the bridegroom and the male lover all terrific. Great ensemble cast. The magical and transcendent elements brought to life daringly, with
great passion. I could watch it all over again. Some great standout performances especially the Mother, but what a play! The script just swirls along in an avalanche of emotion, competing dignities, pasts and familial passion. The Spanish essentiality is not lost at all in this production and is so brought to life here with a very committed company who allow the torrents of emotion to evolve without ever descending into a forced theatricality. The scene where the Mother turns on the Bride's father at the wedding is one of the best scenes of a fierce conflict I have seen enacted in the theatre. A marvellous production and a great opener for the house which is a new theatre itself a wonderful space and so comfortable to sit in! The people at the theatre so welcoming and friendly and kind. I can see myself going to everything they do there. Great Great little theatre, powerful emotional play. The location also meant for a great evening overall with drinks before and meal afterwards both a door or two down from the theatre J3-Dec-2016 Rated : 3 There was a lot to recommend this play, in particular the superb acting by Mary Conlon (the younger cast would do well to pay attention) and the scene with the moon. For me the inexperience of the younger cast and the odd acting from the Spanish speakers (either too emotional or not at all) marred the play for me. Some clever staging with a simple set. The younger English speaking cast were too middle class and English for me to be convinced that we were in Spain, especially given that half the cast were Spanish speakers. The different accents and acting abilities let this play down. Had a few more been of the calibre of Mary Conlon I would have given this play more stars. 3-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 Brand new small theatre very nice and cosy. The play was very emotional and the english cast very professional. I would recommend it to my family and friends and probably go and see the spanish version. Long play but worth it 2-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 The new Cervantes Theatre launches with a brilliant production of Lorca 2-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 This was one of the best productions of Blood Wedding in English I have seen for a long time. Jorge de Juan is the director and he certainly captures the fiery spirit of Lorca and the heat of Southern Spain. Terrific performance by the leading actors who played the Mother, the Son, Leonardo, the Bride and the Moon. The supporting cast was very good. Excellent English translation. Very good settings and costumes. The sound effects of Leonardo's horse galloping in the distance was like a premonition to the final bloody ending. This is the first play presented by the Cervantes Theatre, which opened only recently. Its aim is to present Spanish and Latinamerican plays in the original language and and translated into English, under the direction of Jorge de Juan. Would be very
exciting to see now the Spanish speaking cast doing Blood Wedding. It's a beautiful new theatre with a great future. 1-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 It was a particular pleasure for me, as a Hispanophile, to learn that we now have a dedicated Spanish Theatre in London. It's a delightful, intimate venue with very friendly staff. I thought this was a very interesting production of the Spanish classic, which faithfully reproduced what must have been the atmosphere of Spain in the 1930's & this was further enhanced by the singing. The acting was gripping throughout and the actresses who played The Mother & The Fiancee are particularly to be commended. I enjoyed the English version so much that I have now booked to see it again in Spanish. I wish this venture every success & look forward to following them in the future. Highly recommended. 1-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 Very intimate theatre brand new. The show was well played and a very intriguing play. Although no much was used as decoration the story was so well told that it was easy to imagine it. Looking forward to seeing more plays at Cervantes theatre! 1-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 This was a brilliant production in a really charming new theatre. The cast were animated and engaged/engaging and the performances beguiling. It was a terrific rendition of Lorca's magical and slightly dark world. The sets too were great, portraying the importance of land and nature in the play. It is also worth saying that this is a great new theatre which is definitely worth following and patronising! 1-Dec-2016 Rated : 5 Great production. The large cast brought life to the piece, by one of soains most respected playwrights. A wonderful way to open the new theatre. Comfortable seats, friendly staff and inexpensive bar.