Some Disenchanted Evening…
Monday, 23 March 2026, 6.00-8.00 pm
*****
Goldsmiths, University of London
PSH LT01 & Atrium
Haughty brows crowned the eagle-gray eyes of this austere and cold descendant of monarchs, so white that her hands looked like wax and her temples pearls. She was called Audovère…
Goldsmiths invites you to an evening of readings, mini-talks, and an exhibition of fairy-tale book illustration exploring themes of disenchantment and decadence. From pale princesses and cursed courts to darker transformations of familiar tales, the event considers how fairy tales have been reimagined through decadent aesthetics and moods of unease, beauty, and decline.
The event is a collaboration between staff and students in Educational Studies and English and Creative Writing and builds upon two recent publications: Reading Children's Fairy Tales: Inside the Gingerbread House, edited by Mette Lindahl-Wise, Harry Oulton, Vicky Macleroy, and Emily Corbett, and a special issue of the journal, Volupté: International Journal of Decadence Studies on the Decadent Fairy Tale.
Programme
Introduction and welcome by Vicky Macleroy and Jane Desmarais; Brian Hill reads Jean Lorrain’s ‘Princess of the Red Lilies’; Michael Rosen presents ‘A New Decadent Fairy Tale’; Christian Foley performs ‘Hip Hop Hansel and Gretel’; Pippa Cox reads ‘Rapunzel’; Jess Richards reads ‘Skin-Stilt-Rumple’; Barrie Tullett presents ‘Four Second Fairy Stories’; and Helen Miller talks about Spinning Gold, about illustrating dark fairy tales
All followed by a wine reception and an exhibition of fairy tale illustrations in the Atrium…
Please note that this is an in-person, ticketed event.
Location
The Professor Stuart Hall Building is opposite the Richard Hoggart Building on the other side of the College Green.
Follow the path around the College Green next to the Whitehead Building. Walk up the steps and the entrance to the PSH will be in front of you. The event will take place on the lower ground floor of the building. (The building is fully accessible.)
Goldsmiths is located in New Cross, South East London. It is a short walk from both New Cross Gate and New Cross stations (Zone 2) on the main rail network and London overground; about a 7 minute journey from London Bridge and 30 minutes from London Victoria. It is on bus routes 21, 36, 53, 136, 171, 172, 177, 225, 321, 343, 436, 453.
For exact directions to Goldsmiths please see the How to Find Us page on the Goldsmiths website.
For more information about this event, please email drc@gold.ac.uk.