Goblin Market

A brilliantly atmospheric, totally original musical which probes into the sexually charged fantasies of two sisters who relive their childhood experiences in an imaginary world peopled by seductive goblins.
Two proper Victorian sisters, both now grown women and mothers, return to their childhood nursery to relive the haunting memories of their youth. Magically, they are transported back to their girlhood, as their nursery becomes a woodland glen peopled by bizarre goblins who entice them with luscious fruits and promises of unimagined ecstasies. One of the sisters, Laura, partakes of the forbidden offerings, while her sibling, Lizzie, bargains desperately with the fey creatures to save her from inexorably falling under their spell. Blending music, poetry and entrancing imagery, the play is a dazzling journey through the psyches of the two sisters as they struggle to regain the present and to reconcile the fervent, erotic yearnings of their adolescence with the matter-of-fact world that they now inhabit. Happily they succeed, but their voyage in and out of the past—and through the labyrinths of their vivid imaginations—weaves an enchanted spell that will linger long in the memory.
Roles
2
Musicians
4
Acts
1
Duration
70 minutes

Creators

Polly Pen

Polly Pen

Book, Music & Lyrics Polly Pen is a 1996 Obie Award winner for the score of BED AND SOFA, which received seven Drama Desk nominations and has been recorded on CD by Varése Sarabande. Her first Off-Broadway production as both composer...

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Peggy Harmon

Peggy Harmon

Book Peggy Harmon is the co-writer of the book of GOBLIN MARKET, with music by Polly Penn,  debuted at the Vineyard Theater in 1985 and enjoyed a subsequent production at Circle in the Square Theater in 1986. It is published by...

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Reviews

"An entrancing expedition to 'Those pleasant days long gone/Of not-returning time.'"

New York Times


"An absolutely gorgeous piece of Victorian erotica."

New York Post


"A spellbinding, highly imaginative musical."

Variety


"One of the season’s few genuine successes. It’s certainly in a class by itself."

New York Daily News


Orchestration

4 Musicians

PIANO/VOCAL (Keyboard),
VIOLIN,
CELLO,
PERCUSSION/SYNTHESIZER (Triangle, Suspended Cymbal, Tom, Tambourine, Wind)

Production Materials

The required production package will include the materials listed below. These materials will be shipped upon receipt of payment if your license request is approved.

2 Cast Script/Vocal Books

A combination of the show’s full script and the full vocal book. All dialogue within each song is printed in the score to prevent flipping back and forth during rehearsals. All books are spiral-bound and double-sided.

2 Director’s Scripts

A single-sided, spiral-bound script designed with plenty of space for the director to take notes and add blocking during the rehearsal process.

1 Stage Manager’s Script

A single-sided, three-hole punched script that can be inserted into your three-ring binder.

2 Piano/Vocal Scores

This piano score includes all vocal parts. It can be used during the rehearsal process and during performance.

Orchestration Set

Cello, Percussion/Synthesizer, Violin

Production Resources

Digital Orchestration PDFs

Prefer playing or rehearsing from your tablet? All of our orchestration scores (including PC and PV) are available in digital copies.

Digital PC or PV $50
Full Digital Orchestration Set $150

Broadway Plus

A workshop experience in which a Broadway artist speaks and works with students in an educational setting through our partnership with Broadway Plus.

Prices Vary by Product