Radium Girls

By D.W. Gregory. Directed by Ciara Taylor and Melissa Kelly. Caroline Payne Theatre, Corpus Christi College, Bateman, WA. May 9-10, 2025

Corpus Christi College presented this large cast production of D. W. Gregory’s Radium Girls for a short season. A very polished and beautifully drilled production, it was well acted and very well received.

Originally written for an ensemble cast of 9 or 10, Corpus Christi delighted us with a highly enthusiastic cast of over forty, allowing for greatly reduced doubling and a healthy ensemble throughout. Expertly directed, the large cast and crew allowed the production to move swiftly with seamless scene transitions, and artistic use of crowd.

Played on a multi-level stage initially conceived by Noah Giosca and realized by Chris Hastie, Paul Spencer and Jordy Lee, strong lighting design enhanced the mood. Beautiful costumes designed by Melissa Kelly were true to both era and character, although the incidence of men wearing hats during internal scenes was a little jarring.

This cast had an excellent sense of story, and characters throughout were drawn with depth and commitment. The title roles were beautifully played, the radium girls, led by Jessica Aulfrey, in a stunning performance as Grace Fryer, were all very believable, with Layla Newman touching as Kathryn Schaub and Kiara O’Leary lovely as the ill-fated Irene Rudolph. They were supervised by a severe Daaniya Goraya as Alma MacNeil.

The opposition are the company men. Great work toeing the company line from Presidents Arthur Roeder and Charlie Lee (played with authority and strength by Nate Tonkin and Charlie Lee). Alex Dempsey was a formidable opponent as legal counsel Edward Markley, while company founder Dr Von Sochocky shows remarkable growth and change in the hands of Jack Alford.

Tom Kreider, boyfriend of Grace Fryer, was beautifully portrayed by Austin Botica, an “almost” romantic lead that had charm and layers, while Erin Hogg brought warmth and concern to Grace’s mother Anna Fryer. Another family member, well portrayed was Diane Reeder, wife of company president Arthur, given privilege and heart by Alice Herbert. Nichole Wharton-Street played daughter Harriet very well. 

Fabulous work from the advocates - consumer advisor Katherine Wiley played with gusto by Edie Jackson, channelling the gorgeous voice and presence of a young Jodie Foster, in what appears to be her stage debut. Xavier Putt had a feeling of through as the girls’ attorney.

The lone female in a sea of male scientists was Mila Hofstein, as Marie Curie, looking and sounding like the real woman. Marcus Audrey (Dr. Harrison Martland), Ethan Valerio (Dr. Joseph Knef) and Christopher Xanthis (Dr Cecil Drinker) all spoke with understanding and intelligence.

The show was partly narrated and freshened by the regular appearance of journalists Jack Youngwood and sob sister Nancy Jane Horton. Superbly played by Cohen Burgin and Lucy Kelly, these were clearly audience favourites and a release from the darkness of the play. Excellent work.

I would love to have the space to mention all who gave their full dedication to the innumerable cameos. All were performing at peak level.

A fabulous school production of which Corpus Christ should be very proud.

Kimberley Shaw