Ex-Doctor Who companion Billie Piper is to make her Young Vic debut this summer. She will take on the titular role in an adaptation of Federico García Lorca’s Spanish play ‘Yerma’. This new play will be written and directed by Australian Simon Stone, who’s previous work includes the award-winning ‘The Wild Duck’.
The play surrounds a young woman who is unable to bear children, and the disastrous consequences this has on her family and on her life. Yerma means “barren” in Spanish.
Yerma was written and first performed in 1934. It was descibed by Lorca as “a tragic poem” about a woman who is driven to commit a crime because of her obsession with bearing a child. It will be adapted and updated for the stage.
This new play adds to Piper’s already impressive CV. She has appeared on the stage in ‘Great Britain’ and ‘The Effect’, both at the National Theatre. Going on to be nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actress for her role in The Effect. She also starred in ‘Reasons To Be Pretty’ at the Almeida and ‘Treats’ at the Garrick.
Piper is currently the only actor announced for this new production at this time.
The set will be designed by Lizzie Clachan, costumes by Alice Babidge, James Farncombe will be in control of the lighting with Stefan Gregory on music and sound.
Yerma runs at the Young Vic from the 4th August to 24th September, with previews from 28th July. Tickets are on sale now.
