A piece about fertility, infertility, motherhood, womenhood and what this does to a relation.

In this version of the tragic poem Yerma we dive into the theme of “infertility” and “fertility” with a question to the notion of individual and identity in this world. Yerma is a tragedy of archetypes made by a certain structure. A story retold that we still today, a hundred years after, might recognise.

This piece is an edited version of the original play, with documentaric elementas. Dealing with the story then and now.

Yerma is a tragic poem by Frederico Garcia Lorca, written in 1934. He was a in 1936 assassinated by the nationalist, maybe because he was outspokenly socialist and queer.

Regie: Johanne Fridahl Willman

Performers: Oumi Niang, Nikki Kuis, Jard Struik, Charlotte Vlugt

Scenography/Lights: Sara Darle Olsson

Interviews and with special thanks to: Dorthe Willman, Amira Nørregaard Gullaksen, Ellie Nørregaard Gullaksen, Ida Johannessen

Music: Pink Floyd- "Shine on your crazy diamond", the Swingle singers classical choir

Soundscape/music: Johanne Fridahl Willman

Mentoring: Quirine Racké and Helena Muskens

Technical guidance: Geert Oddens, Pim Elberse

Photos: Sjoerd Derine

In the first interview we meet MOTHER who shares her experience as an infertile woman, even though she birthed Johanne and her twin. 

In our second interview, we meet MOR and MAMMA, two mothers who share their experience with fertility. One carried and gave birth, while the idea of giving birth felt entirely unnatural to the other. Exploring the concept of the "ideal mother," often symbolized by "Mother Mary," whose love is defined by her endurance of pain. This raises questions and sparks reactions, such as, "Oh, so does that make you the dad?" —as if motherhood is solely validated by the physical pain of childbirth.

In our third interview, we meet THE FRIEND, a woman who spent ten years believing she was infertile after being told so by a gynecologist. Recently, she discovered that diagnosis was incorrect, leading her to question her identity.

Eggwatches, flowers, pregnancy tests, Jesus, yoga poses, sex, and Mother Mary – the space was filled with symbols, transforming it into a dynamic and - almost wrestling like arena.