There’s something different about a theatre performance based on real stories. Radium Girls tells the story of the young girls and women who were unknowingly poisoning themselves at work every day. Being taken advantage of by the men of the company and the physicians they thought they could trust, we follow the story of Grace and her friends Irene and Kathryn as they fight for their voices to be heard and their dues paid. Do not worry if you don’t know much of the story; the script and cast will provide you with context and hold your hand through this fight for justice.
As we follow Grace’s story, we meet a smattering of interesting characters who brighten the stage. The cast list is smaller than the character list, so you can expect to see some faces on more than one character, but with speedy costume changes – paired with some impressively quick accent changes – you’re never confused as to who is who. If you find yourself needing a guide, the well-formatted program the company has on offer provides a helpful cast list.
And a rather professional cast, I feel is important to note. With opening night jitters of missed lighting cues, the cast didn’t allow it to deter them, delivering their lines as though nothing were amiss. Missed cues aside, the lighting was strong, showing an array of colours to aptly represent the mood for each scene. Showing off the simple yet powerful stage which, at first glance, shows little more than some stunningly coloured green windows and a giant analogue clock face. This versatile stage will transform from the US Radium Company’s factory, to Grace’s family dining room, to a courthouse, and more without missing a beat, and never leaving room for confusion.
It’s easy to find yourself immersed within the story, but every now and then a monologue will take you by surprise, leaving you wide-eyed. With moments carefully chosen to address the audience, don’t be surprised if you leave and find yourself unable to stop thinking of particularly emotional moments. Even with these crafted moments to make the audience think, the show itself is not hard to follow, and easy to feel a connection with every cast member on the stage (no matter which character they are portraying).
The only thing I wish had been utilised more was the glowing radium. I spotted some glowing aprons, but seeing some glowing shoe soles, watches on characters, or paintbrushes would’ve been a treat. Otherwise, everything else was perfectly orchestrated for every character’s individual personality, from their accents and body language to their tailored costumes. The stage was used to its potential, with little to no dead space in any scene, the costumes matched the era, the cast supported each other with excellent chemistry, it was engaging, and the sound effects didn’t overshadow the cast.
A thought-provoking show, the story of the radium girls will remain an important retelling, and Galleon Theatre Group has provided us with a wonderful rendition.
To book tickets to Radium Girls, please visit https://www.galleon.org.au/html/radiumGirls.html.
