Campus Life

“Goblin Market” not just any fairy tale

Providing evocative imagery, displaying intense bonds of sisterhood and bringing rhyme schemes to life, University of West Florida students will perform Christina Rossetti's poem, "Goblin Market" Nov. 13 through 23. Exploring the sensibility and sensuality of women in the Victorian era, the play tells the tale of two sisters who are lured by goblin men and must tackle life-altering decisions portraying their innocence, curiosity, defiance and self-sacrifice.

Providing evocative imagery, displaying intense bonds of sisterhood and bringing rhyme schemes to life, University of West Florida students will perform Christina Rossetti’s poem, “Goblin Market” Nov. 13 through 23. Exploring the sensibility and sensuality of women in the Victorian era, the play tells the tale of two sisters who are lured by goblin men and must tackle life-altering decisions portraying their innocence, curiosity, defiance and self-sacrifice.

The UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) and Department of Theatre will present the musical in the CFPA Studio Theatre Nov. 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 16 and 23 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and active military and $10 for UWF faculty and staff and non-UWF students. UWF students are admitted free with a valid Nautilus card. This play deals with adult topics and situations.

“As humans, we are all faced with rules in our lives and we always have the choice to abide by those rules or break them,” said Timothy Kennedy, director of “Goblin Market.” “As children and sometimes as adults, we push boundaries and break rules as part of our growing experience. Each of those decisions has a consequence. The play reminds us of the importance of sisterhood (or truly the bond of humanity) in having someone to pick us up and help us through the hard times, regardless of the choice.”

Written by Polly Pen and Peggy Harmon, “Goblin Market” tells the story of two sisters who, while visiting the bedroom they grew up in, are transported back to their childhood. Inspired by the melodies of Johannes Brahms and Antonio Lotti, composer Polly Penn fuses poetry and music together into a haunting score. The story has been described as a fairy tale, a religious allegory and an examination of Victorian female sexuality all wrapped into a tale of sisterhood.

“Rossetti paints word pictures that are stunning,” said Kennedy. “The theme of sisterhood and humanity translates to any time period. Each audience member will be able to see themselves in both sisters throughout the piece.”

The production will include music direction by UWF student Tristian Luysterburg. The design staff is also entirely made up of UWF students including Will O’Donnell designing sets, Meghan Miller designing costumes and Katherine Pursell designing lights.

“This is the largest number of students we have ever had involved in the production staff for a play since I have been teaching at UWF; it is a major accomplishment for our department,” said Kennedy. “Working with a group of student designers on this show has brought a wonderful vibrancy to the process.”

To purchase tickets, contact the CFPA Box Office at (850) 857-6285 or visit the CFPA Web site at uwf.edu/cfpa.

By Megan Tyson, University Marketing Communications