‘Absorbing, compelling, excellent, visually beautiful’… Is it any wonder that The House of the Spirits has extended its sell-out, bilingual run at London’s Cervantes Theatre? We’ve rounded up review highlights from Mates and others below. Only a few tickets remaining up to 11 December. Time to get booking – fast!
Charting the rise and fall of the Trueba family in an unnamed Latin American country, The House of the Spirits spans the 1920s through the 1970s, as the country moves through enormous sociopolitical changes that culminate in a devastating dictatorship. The play is told from the point of view of the youngest of three generations of women, Alba, who, as the play opens, is held in a government torture cell.
The 1982 novel of The House of the Spirits catapulted Chilean writer Isabel Allende to international literary stardom. In Paula Paz‘s new production of Caridad Svich‘s award-winning 2011 adaptation, Pia Laborde-Noguez plays Alba in a bilingual cast alongside Raul Fernandes, Constanza Ruff, Vanessa Calderón, Diana Volpe, Elena Saenz, Daniela Cristo, Alejandra Costa, Rodrigo Peñalosa, Álvaro Flores, Álvaro Ramos and Gian Carlo Ferrini.
The House of the Spirits (La Casa de los Espiritus) now extended until 11 December 2019 at the Cervantes Theatre, Arch 26, Old Union Arches, 229 Union Street, London SE1 0LR, with 7.30pm performances Mondays to Saturdays. Check website for Spanish versus English performances. Tickets priced £17.50-£25. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!
At the curtain call
Review highlights
The House of the Spirits review at Cervantes Theatre, London
Mert Dilek: “Energetic… Nigel A Lewis’ meticulous lighting and Yaiza Varona’s evocative music are crucial to Paula Paz’s production, creating refreshing transitions… There are particularly sharp performances from Pía Laborde-Noguez, Elena Sáenz and Diana Volpe.”
Breaking the Fourth Wall – ★★★★
Michael Davis: “The House of the Spirits is as much the history of a nation as a family drama… Playing both the child and adult versions of Clara, Constanza Ruff is convincing at every age she’s portraying.”
Tim Winter: “It’s a story of love and treachery, monstrous men and magnificent women, betrayal and idealism. The excellent cast of twelve guide us through the complexities of this generational saga under Paula Paz’s strong direction.”
“The story is absorbing in its emotional perceptiveness and sensual reality. Paz’s production has a fine pace and the narrative is clear and compelling… This is an adaptation that is full of feeling and rich in ideas and complexities.”
Melinda Haunton: “Adapting a multi-generational family saga for the stage takes ambition, confidence and knowing just where to cut.
Paz’s production has all three covered… An absorbing… rewarding watch.”
Shyama Perera: “Paula Paz’s production at the Cervantes Theatre is visually beautiful… The bar is raised when the leads move centre stage and the story finds its stride… Whatever the language, there are scenes here that will remain with you long after the performance is over.”
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