by Mateo Biggs.
There’s a special thing about the air as the semester comes to a close. Between the stress of finals and planning for the spring semester, many don’t know what to look forward to next semester when every Maroon comes back to campus — well, besides the fact that the end of next semester marks another successful year for every student. For now, however, let’s focus on what Roanoke College’s very own theatre department will be producing in collaboration with the Spanish department here on campus.
On Jan. 29, at 7:30pm, members of the college (regardless of major or department) will be able to go and watch a staged reading of “Bodas de Sangre” by Federico García Lorca. The reading will be a bilingual performance with some aspects remaining true to the Spanish roots while others are translated to English for easier digestion.
Now, many may be asking, “What is ‘Bodas de Sangre’?” The name of the piece actually translates to “Blood Wedding,” which is fitting for the Spanish tragedy that it is. The piece contains heavy themes about the progression of time, the cycle of life and other more meta attributes of life, such as choice.
The project is headed by none other than Dr. Teresa Hancock-Palmer from Roanoke College’s Department of Modern Languages in Lucas Hall. Of course, since it is a collaborative piece between both departments, “Bodas de Sangre” will also be receiving help from Dr. Nelson Barre of the theatre department.
With such heavy meta themes corresponding with this reading, it may not be for everyone– but it is highly recommended for anyone who wishes to see such a beautiful piece as this tragedy. Already the team holds high hopes for being able to blend the English language with the Spanish language without changing the meaning behind the play, thanks to our Spanish department’s hard work and dedication.
If you feel the need for something deep and intriguing to plague you next semester, then “Blood Wedding” might just be what you need to see.
