Lope de Vega is the acknowledged creator of the comedia nueva - the dominant from of drama in Spain’s Golden Age - and a Spanish National hero. He led a full (and sometimes scandalous) life of action; he was married twice, sailed with the Armada, was a familiar of the Inquisition, had numerous love affairs before and after taking holy orders, enjoyed huge public acclaim and suffered banishment from his native Madrid, as well as the cruellest personal tragedy.

Peribanez and the Comendador of Ocana was probably written when Lope was in his mid-to -late forties. It is a work which combines common Golden-Age themes of love, jealousy and honour, on this occasion in an idealised rural setting. The play charts the clash between prudent conjugal love (Peribanez) and passion (the Comendador) as manifested in the two men’s relationships with one woman, Casilda. The love stories are played out against the background of a strict hierarchical society, where purity and danger go hand in hand together. The central couple’s love is revealed to be essential to social cohesion, but the drama also betrays a marked sympathy with the antagonist’s passion despite its destructive power.

This is the Marlowe’s first venture into Spanish Golden Age drama, under the aegis of Dominic Dromgoole, until recently director of the Bush, and shortly to be Peter Hall’s associate in charge of modern productions at the Old Vic. A new verse translation of this piece sees the Marlowe continue with its founding purpose of tackling under-performed and verse plays.

• The Marlowe and the Spanish Golden Age
• Translator's Notes