The Genesian Theatre Company is up and running, completing their season for 2026 with a locally translated version of the world renowned play “Yerma” by Federico Garcia Lorca. Last year was tumultuous for the Company as they bid farewell to their residence in the former St John the Evangelist Church in Kent Street in the city.
The New Theatre
Three cheers for the project manager who literally fitted out an entire new modern theatre between May and December 2025 inside the former St Joseph’s Church Hall in Rozelle for the company to continue their work. This included front of house with a shop for drinks and snacks, wheelchair access to the auditorium, lighting racks, sound system, very comfortable raked seating, faux hand painted stain glass panels, air conditioning, a stage with backdrops and wings, along with all the behind the scenes dressing rooms etc.
The theatre holds around 130 in the audience, is a lovely space where you can take in your glass of something or cup of tea to enjoy the performance. The finishing touch is the classic red velvet curtain with gold trim.
The Company
Genesian Theatre Company are one of the longest running community theatre companies in Australia with a history dating back more than 80 years. Many volunteers have contributed to the productions including some high profile names such as Baz Luhrmann, Judi Farr, Peter Carroll and Bryan Brown. The Company is proud of its position, providing a training ground for young theatre professionals newly graduated from their Tertiary tuition along with many other theatre enthusiasts. The experience these young performers receive is not just great for stagecraft in treading the boards but, is critically important in adding to their biography for impressing at professional auditions.
This is not the first Garcia Lorca production the company has staged. (NB – The playwright became famous in the US simply called “Lorca” though we will use his full surnames to be culturally sensitive.) Director Barry Nielsen both translated and directed “Blood Wedding” in January 2008 and “The House of Bernarda Alba” in October 2009.
The Translation
It’s quite a gap between these two and Yerma, some 18 years later, but Nielsen completes what is often referred to as the rural trilogy. Translating each play (originally written between 1933 and 1936) is no mean feat. Garcia Lorca combines conversational and narrated Spanish with old style, traditionally structured prose. So, each translation – of which there are many – can be interpreted with quite different results. This would depend on whether the translator makes a literal translation, updates to contemporary text or creates an equally florid version of the poetry in their own language.
Nielsen has done a stellar job in his translation, keeping with the poetry. It feels slightly staccato at the opening of the play as the audience – and players – attune to this style of story telling, but soon relaxes into an easier flow as the scenes continue.
Themes within the Play
The stories from the three plays each centre around women in heavily traditional rural settings. Garcia Lorca was inspired by the communities he experienced in Andalusia, Spain as he was growing up, along with stories that actually happened. They are politically neutral and more focussed on the limitations and expectations set by rural society, sometimes driving these women to the point of insanity.
The result creates great “meaty” roles for the female leading actors to push their own limitations within the craft.
The Production
Nielsen has directed Yerma, assisted by Liz Grindley, with all the resourcefulness that comes from working within a limited budget. Scenes are easily identified with a quick change of props, use of projected images supported by Lighting Design by Ethan Chan and soundscapes.
Helen Howe is making her debut with the company as Musical Director. For this production, she has gone well beyond expectations by drawing on Garcia Lorca’s collections of folk songs either sung or performed on flamenco guitar, supported by Michael Schell in Sound Design, adding rich context to the scenes.
Costumes, designed by Helen Kohlhagan and Susan Carveth have a traditional feel with subtle contemporary edge.
The Artists
In the title role of Yerma is ACA recent graduate Norah Masige. This is her second production for Genesian. As mentioned, the role is challenging, beginning as a suppressed but hopeful young woman. As the years pass, the situation becomes far more desperate. Masige pushed her own boundaries, challenging herself as the character drives on towards the crescendo. The character appears to be in most of the scenes, so the role carries the story forward which is a huge responsibility. Masige did a great job in keeping the changes naturally developing throughout, without peaking too soon. Very well done.
The two leading male leads were Billy Allagiannis as Victor and Michael Sebastian as Juan providing good contrast to work against. Sebastian began a little stiff in performing but, by the final scene, became very natural and well connected in his communication – a lovely surprise.
The supporting cast did very well. Sometimes the words were spoken too fast to understand. A little more care with articulation would help the audience to enjoy the performance more. It may be helpful for each actor to take the time to dig deep in to the story. Take a look, on the macro and the micro level, at what is happening in each scene in relation to the scenes before and after. This can sometimes help the interpretation of their lines to make more sense within the bigger picture.
Sometimes expressing love, sexual attraction, mischief, resentment or fake politeness can feel a little staid in community productions. It would be great for this approach to be let loose a little to make the relationships shine in their own world on the stage.
Overall, it was very enjoyable. It’s recommended you take the time to go along before the close of this production on 14 November 2026.
Support the Genesian Theatre Company, cheer for the players and experience a rarely performed, astounding play by Garcia Lorca.
Artists
Yerma – Norah Masige
Victor – Billy Allagiannis
Juan – Michael Sebastian
Cast – Celeste Anchique, Tayra Araujo, Sandra Bass, Alex Castello, Jennifer Cutler, Binh Doan, Jenny Jacobs, Brendan Layton, Angie P, Monique Pueblos, Danielle Stein.
Production
Director – Barry Nielsen
Assistant Director – Liz Grindley
Lighting Design – Ethan Chan
Sound Design – Michael Schell
Musical Director – Helen Howe
Costume Design Men – Helen Kohlhagen
Costume Design Women – Susan Carveth
Related Links
What’s on next at The Genesian Theatre: https://genesiantheatre.com.au/
Follow Genesian Theatre Company on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genesiantheatre/
More about the playwright Lorca: https://humansofhistory.com/person/federico-garcia-lorca
