Children of an Idol Moon

We read in Red&Black about Cheryldee Huddleston's play, "Children of an Idol Moon". Ms Huddleston is a third-year doctoral student from Bethesda, Md., who "has had an interest in Emily Brontë, the author of “Wuthering Heights,” ever since she read the book at a young age."

So she finally put pen to paper:

Huddleston said the play is one that she had wanted to write for some time, and it was her thesis for her Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Nevada.

Here's a summary of what this play deals with:

Many people have wondered about the events that could have led to Brontë writing the novel and how she could have constructed characters that were so powerful and grotesque given her limited life experience.

The plot of the play deals with Brontë’s life and how it relates to “Wuthering Heights.” It also explores the reasons that led Brontë to paint her brother out of a famous portrait of her family.

This we find both very interesting, and one of the best ways to give that Brontë feel to the play:

Huddleston said she used historical events from Brontë’s life along with dialogue taken from Brontë’s diary and the diary of her brother to help mold the play.

The bit about the props and decoration reminds us of Polly Teale's play Brontë. In both those plays accessories are more than just that, they're nearly as important as the characters themselves:

Stylistically, the play is a “reflection in a cracked mirror,” said George Conti, an associate professor of drama and theater and the director of the play.

He said in the play there are no flat surfaces — even the tables are uneven and bent in the middle. Everything is done with sharp angles, and the costumes also fit the play’s mood, which he said should feel gothic and expressionistic.

Viewers should not expect a simple period piece, Conti said.

But be warned:

The play, though based on fact, is not meant to be taken for an account of what actually happened, but rather, Huddleston said, it was her own speculation into the life of Brontë.

The style is unrealistic, resembling more what a person looking at their own life would see than a direct account of events, Conti said.

Sounds good, so if you want to go and see for yourself, here's the show times:

Who: The University Theatre presents the Southeast premiere of Children of an Idol Moon.
When: 8 p.m. today-Saturday and Feb. 22-25; 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26
Where: Seney-Stoval Chapel (University of Georgia)
Cost: $12 adults; $10 students

Categories: In_the_News, Emily_Brontë, Wuthering_Heights, Theatre