Play about Radium Girls' fight for justice opens in Newcastle
A Newcastle theatre production tells the true story of women who fought radium poisoning and a major US corporation.
In 1926, young women painted glowing watch dials with radium. These young women did not know it was poisoning them.
The women were called "ghost girls" because the radium dust made their clothes and skin glow. As they fell ill, they discovered a hard truth.
Proving it meant taking on one of America's most powerful corporations. One hundred years later, Radium Girls, a drama by D.W.
Gregory, brings their story to Newcastle. Hunter Drama's Actors Company in association with Knock And Run Theatre present the production.
It follows dial painter Grace Fryer as she challenges the US Radium Corporation. Director James Chapman says the play does not fit neatly into traditional historical drama.
It is funny, dark, and fast-paced. It tackles complex characters.
He notes the story feels urgent even now. Corporations protect their own interests.
People are told not to worry. Experts are ignored.
Ordinary people fight to be heard.
- 1926
- Year of events
- Grace Fryer, dial painter
- Lead character
- US Radium Corporation
- Corporation challenged
- Newcastle
- Play location
Why it mattersIt is a powerful story about workers' rights. It is about holding corporations accountable. It shows the power of ordinary people to fight injustice. The story is told through a true historical event.
AustraliaNewcastle theatre-goers can see a gripping drama about a real historical fight for justice and worker protection.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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