.WYONG DRAMA GROUP Inc
RADIUM GIRLS
Directed by Daryl Kirkness
​Synopsis
Radium Girls is D.W. Gregory’s gripping drama based on the true story of female workers who were poisoned, and in some instances died, as a result of working with their factory’s radium-based paint. Though the setting of Radium Girls ranges from 1918 through the 1940’s, the play is mainly centred on events in New Jersey in the mid 1920s.
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In particular, the play follows Grace, Irene, and Kathryn who paint dials at the U.S. Radium Plant and are instructed to finely point their brushes by moulding the bristles with their lips while painting.
The factory’s new owner, Arthur Roeder, is excited by radium’s promising future and believes in the company’s potential for growth. Roeder’s mindset is supported by Marie Curie, the internationally famous scientist, who believes radium provides many health benefits and could even cure cancer.
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However, many of the girls soon begin to notice disturbing health issues, and when one of their co-workers dies, her death is brushed aside. The company tries to prevent the girls, who are getting sicker, from talking to the press; push back lawsuit court dates and try to deflect any negativity toward the company.
Eventually, some of the girls get settlements and medical coverage for the rest of their shortened lives. This is their story.
Production Team
Director – Daryl Kirkness
Production Manager – Anna Carter
Assistant Directors – Clayton Williamson and Ben Hudson
Stage Manager – Amber Markham
Lighting Design & Technical Manager – Cameron Mitchell
Promotion Plan, Artwork & Program Design – Ben Hudson
Promotion & Social Media – Clayton Williamson
Set Design – Daryl Kirkness
Soundscape & Effects – Clayton Williamson
Music Creator - Andrew Worboys
Projection Designer and Coordination – Ben Hudson
Props Coordination – Amber Markham
Costume Coordinator - Debbi Clarke
Costumes Assistance - Cathy De Vries
Wyong Drama Group ‘Buddy’ – Pollyanna Forshaw
Assistant Stage Managers – Sharon Hutchison and Jacquie Pirina
Technical operation - Raylene Woodland
Cast for Radium Girls
Ligao Brown
Health Department Clerk, Venecine Salesman, 3rd Board Member and Citizen of Orange
Sara Brown
Mrs. Diane Roeder and Shop Owner
Courtney-Jade Buckley
Miss Grace Fryer
Jake Cain-Roser
Mr. Jack Youngwood (Reporter) and Lovesick Cowboy
Marc Calwell
Mr. Edward Markley, Dr. Cecil Drinker and Dr. William J.A. Bailey
Raif Colbert Smith
Mr. Arthur Roeder
Billy Crick
Mr. Tom Kreider and 1st Board Member
Samara Dawson
Miss Nancy Jane Harlin (Reporter)
Tina Findlay
Mrs. Anna Fryer and Mrs. Alma MacNeil
Reuben Harris
Mr. Charlie B. Lee
Margaret Holdom
Mrs. Cora Middleton, Elderly Widow, Customer and Citizen of Orange
Andy Kabanoff
Dr. Von Sochocky
Yasmin Ling
Miss Kathryn Schaub and Citizen of Orange
Lynn McMullen
Dr. Marie Curie, Mrs. Michaels and Citizen of Orange
Fleur Ramm
Miss Katherine Wiley and Citizen of Orange
Bear Phoenix
Amelia Maggia, Miss Harriet Roeder, 2nd Board Member, Shop Customer and Citizen of Orange
Rhiannon Power
Miss Irene Rudolph, Shop Girl, Tom Wife and Citizen of Orange
Jacob Ramm
Mr. Raymond Berry and Photographer
Steve Van Tongeren
Dr. Joseph Knef, Dr. Harrison Martland, Dr. Fredrick Flinn and The Judge of Essex County
Jacquie Pirina
On Stage Crew Member - Dial Painter and Citizen of Orange
Sharyn Hutchinson
On Stage Crew Member - Dial Painter and Citizen of Orange