Not one to skirt the controversial issues, the LSU Theater begins its run of “Goblin Market” tonight. The play tackles heavy themes such as the relationship between sexuality and religion, the female role in society and rape.
“Goblin Market,” based on a Victorian play by Christina Rosetti, is the story of two sisters, Laura and Lizzie, who are tempted by goblin fruit merchants in a haunted glen. When one sister succumbs to the goblin’s temptation and eats the poisonous fruit the other must find the remedy to cure her sister.
In a tense scene, a goblin confronts Lizzie and symbolically rapes her by forcing her to unwillingly eat the poisonous fruit. This scene leaves the play open for a number of methods of analysis.
“The poem has been interpreted in various ways,” said director Elissa Sartwell, a doctoral candidate in theater. “Some say that Lizzie is a Christ figure in a Christian allegory showing Christ’s sacrifice for the salvation of mankind, and others say it’s a testament to Victorian repression of sexual eroticism. Some say it highlights the beauty of lesbian love; some say it’s all about the male-dominated capitalist society.”
Sartwell said the play’s ambiguity is part of its driving force and must be kept intact.
“I think all of those things are in the poem, and it’s important to keep everything in the story,” Sartwell said. “If we try to just put one of those things in the story, we’re shutting out everything else that’s there. It’s the combination of all of those all of those elements that creates the tension.”
Sartwell said the completely female cast is enjoying the challenge of playing male characters and understands their roles.
“The female cast provides many layers for the show,” she said. “It adds complexity to their portrayal and opportunities to explore the physicality with their body movements. They’re doing a remarkable job embracing the show. We’ve really collaborated well together. It’s completely an ensemble cast; no one person is more important than the other.”
Cast member Jennifer Cotton said she agrees the cast came together to form a team that learns from one another.
“For about half of the cast, this is our first musical,” said Cotton, a communications studies and theater senior. “So it was a lot of fun and interesting to work with people who have had more experience in musicals. We’ve gelled together very nicely.”
Ann Dalrymple, a theater junior who plays Lizzie, believes the play still is relevant today and audiences will relate easily to it.
“The play explores temptation that everyone deals with in daily life, and how we can give in and resist that temptation,” Dalrymple said. “It deals with how our family, friends and loved ones can help us with that.”
“Goblin Market” runs April 3 through April 12 in Theater 150 in the Music and Dramatic Arts Building. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available only at the door, one hour prior to each performance and a donation of $6 is suggested.
“The play is very impressionistic,” Cotton said. “The audience will leave being affected by it in some way. And that’s what good theater should do.”