Under dim lights and accompanied by the melody of a harp, storyteller Chris Vinsonhaler sat before a burgundy backdrop and delivered a contemporary interpretation of “Beowulf.”
“Storytelling happens when everyone is dreaming the same dream,” Vinsonhaler said. “Your about to enter another world, so I suggest you let everything go.”
Vinsonhaler, a professional storyteller for 11 years, has performed her version of “Beowulf” for seven years — and at 6 p.m. yesterday she performed for University students, faculty, and staff members in room 225 of Peabody Hall.
Ann Trousdale, a curriculum and instruction associate professor, said Vinsonhaler taught herself Old English in order to translate “Beowulf,” and teachers in colleges and high schools around the country use her book, “Beowulf: A Dramatic Translation,” in their classrooms.
“Some translations miss the meaning of ‘Beowulf’s’ music — above all ‘Beowulf’ was meant to be heard,” Vinsonhaler said.
Trousdale, who is also a storyteller, said she met Vinsonhaler at a storytelling festival in Ocean Springs, Miss. a few years ago.
“This evening I invited her to perform ‘Beowulf’ for one of my courses and some other English classes on campus,” she said.
CC Dubois, an agriculture business management and political science freshman, said Vinsonhaler’s translation was different from others.
“It was more entertaining,” Dubois said. “Her translation made the story come alive for the audience.”
Vinsonhaler’s reference to music was both figurative and literal — she played the harp as she dramatically performed the first stanza of the tale.
“Hollywood does the same thing,” she said. “Music in movies builds the mood in scenes. Music emotionally cues the audience and adds variety to the performance.”
Before launching into her performance, Vinsonhaler provided the audience with an overview of “Beowulf” by relating the text to present societal issues.
“The Vikings that stole and raid towns in ‘Beowulf’ are very similar to the present-day incidents of gang violence,” she said.
Vinsonhaler said this overview makes the story more real for the audience.
“By providing them with a concept they understand they can use it to relate to understand the tale of “Beowulf,” she said.
Megan Lynch, an English and political science freshman, said she is studying “Beowulf” in one of her classes and her teacher recommended she come to the performance.
“I liked Ms. Vinsonhaler’s adaptation of “Beowulf,” she said. “The poetry flows musically, and she is masterful at blending the words of the poem with the sound of the harp.”
Joseph DiSandro, a biology sophomore, said he read the story in high school, but after seeing Vinsonhaler’s performance he has a better appreciation of the story.
“It was originally meant to be sung,” he said. “And in its original medium it is more entertaining than it is when being read.”