The Half-Life of Marie Curie

Of the two women portrayed in this bracing play by American Lauren Gunderson (‘America’s most frequently produced living playwright’ according to Time Out, New York), by far the better known is the two-time Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie. She discovered and named radium and polonium and was the only person to win in physics and chemistry before women were allowed to vote. Along with her intense passion for science, and for sex, she was a passive-depressive, permanently wearing around her neck a vial of radium for comfort. Yikes.

The other is her English friend, the scientist and passionate suffragette Hertha Ayrton, who once solved the problem of the hissing of early bulb lights. ‘There was a technical problem in the world’, she says, ‘and I fixed it and you’re welcome.’ Arriving at Marie’s Paris door to find a howling mob (more sexual problems), she whisks her friend away to the tranquil English seaside at her country home. So, the scene is set for new and explosive rounds of battle, with neither side truly understanding the other’s needs.

As Marie, Gabrielle Scawthorn, vulnerable and luminous, is always on edge. Nevertheless, she maintains an aura of passion and integrity for her work. And as Hertha, Rebecca Massey, pipe to hand though never lit, displays a wry sense of humour and all the intelligence of a leader of women’s causes.

The two actresses play extremely well together. Ms Scawthorn seems to have everything to lose. Ms Massey has the world at the fingers. And then she discovers Marie’s little vial of radium.

The setting (designed by James Browne) is on the bare minimum side: a circular podium in front of plain see-through drapes which, at times, and for long periods, completely wrap the two women.

And tonight, with a crash, the podium collapses and the play has to wait. Three backstage workers take over. But the audience is fond of their two leads and want to see more. Five minutes is nothing.

Anthea Williams has worked wonders with her two actors and a minimal budget. See this play. It’s a great experience.

Frank Hatherley

Photographer: Prudence Upton.