TORONTO, January 9, 2001 -- Theatre @ York presents a compelling new production of Federico Garcia Lorca’s landmark drama Blood Wedding, directed by Rhoma Spencer, opening at York University on January 23.

A tale of passion, betrayal and revenge, Blood Wedding was written by Spain’s poet/playwright laureate in 1932, inspired by contemporary newspaper accounts of a murder in an Andalusian village.

Spencer has deftly transposed the locale to the world of cocoa panyol migrant labourers in 1930s Trinidad and infused the play with the choreography of Ronald Taylor. The tragedy unfolds to the rhythms of original music based on parang, the traditional musical art form of the cocoa panyol, composed and performed by the actors.

"As a native Trinidadian, I wanted to articulate and create art from my Spanish Caribbean cultural heritage," says Spencer. Using music and dance to heighten the lyricism of Lorca’s text, she has sought to create a unique theatrical expression of her homeland.

An actor, director, storyteller and celebrated rapso artist, Spencer has worked on stage, television and film. She has appeared in the Trinidadian soap opera Westwood Park and was featured in the BBC movie The Hummingbird Tree and the Trinidadian film Moksha. In 1998, her rapso song "Ring Bi Ding" earned her a TNT Music Award for Best New Artist and nominations in both the Trinidad and New York Sunshine Music Awards. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Directing in York University’s Graduate Theatre Program.

Theatre @ York productions showcase the talents of students in York’s Theatre Department. Blood Wedding stars members of the fourth-year acting ensemble. Set and props are designed by Kurt Mills, with costumes by Sarah Harrison and lighting design by Mike Lewandowski.

Blood Wedding previews Sun. Jan. 21 and Mon. Jan. 22 and runs nightly from Tues. Jan. 23 through Sat. Jan. 27. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. (6 p.m. on Wed.) with matinees on Wed. Jan. 24 and Fri. Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. Performances take place in the Joseph G. Green Studio Theatre in the Centre for Film and Theatre, York University, 4700 Keele Street. Admission is $12, students/seniors $8, group rate $5. The Sunday preview is PWYC, Monday preview $5. Box office/information: (416) 736-5172 ext. 3.

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For further information, please contact:

Brigitte Kleer
Manager, Public Relations, Faculty of Fine Arts
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 77143
email: bkleer@yorku.ca